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PROCEEDINGS 


PRINTERS'  BANQUET, 


HELD    BY    THE 


X.  V.  TYPOGRAPHICAL  SOCIETY, 


ON     THE    (KVASlUN    UK 


FRANKLIN'S  BIRTH-DAY,  JAK  17,  1850, 


AT 


NIBLO'S,  BROADWAY. 


NEW-YORK: 
CHARLES   B    NORTON,  71  CHAMBERS-STREET, 

I  B  V  I  N  G     H  0  US  E  .) 

1850. 


eft  ^~i£ 


John  F.   -Trow,  Printer, 
49  &  51  Ann-street. 


PROCEEDINGS 


PEINTEES'   BANQUET 


The  New- Yoke;  Typogeaphical  Society  celebrated 
the  One  Hundred  and  Forty-Fourth  Anniversary  of 
the  Birth  of  Benjamin  Franklin,  on  Thursday  even- 
ing, January  17th,  1850,  by  appropriate  Literary 
Exercises,  a  Supper,  and  other  Commemorative  Pro- 
ceedings. In  order  to  give  every  possible  effect  to 
the  Celebration,  Mr.  Niblo's  New  Buildings,  including 
the  Opera  House,  Assembly  Room,  Supper  Room, 
Parlors  and  Saloons,  and  all  the  various  accommoda- 
tions of  this  magnificent  Establishment  were  engaged. 
The  Public  Literary  Exercises  were  held  in  the 
Opera  House,  which  was  filled  in  every  part  by  a 
highly  intelligent  audience,  numbering  between  two 
and  three  thousand  persons.  The  Stage  was  occupied 
by  the  Speakers,  Reporters,  and  the  Invited  Guests, 
comprising  distinguished  Authors  and  Editors,  promi- 


4  PEIXTEKS'     BANQUET. 

nent  Publishers,  and  influential  members  of  our  own 
profession. 

Above  the  Stage  was  suspended  the  original  "  Cap 
Portrait"  of  Franklin,  painted  while  he  was  Ambassa- 
dor to  France,  by  the  celebrated  Coerces'.  This  valu- 
able Painting  was  kindly  loaned  by  Gideon  Nye,  Jr., 
Esq.,  Proprietor  of  the  Gallery  of  the  Old  Masters. 

The  Music  was  of  a  very  superior  character.  The 
Odes  were  sung  by  the  Choir  from  the  N".  Y.  Con- 
servatory of  Music,  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Geo.  H. 
Curtis ;  and  the  Overtures  were  performed  by  Dod- 
worth's  celebrated  Band,  comprising  twenty-six  per- 
formers. 

Upon  the  conclusion  of  the  Literary  Exercises  the 
Public  Meeting  was  adjourned;  after  which  between 
five  and  six  hundred  Ladies  and  Gentlemen,  including 
the  members  of  the  Society,  their  guests  and  friends, 
partook  of  a  sumptuous  Supper  provided  by  Mr. 
Niblo. 

The  interesting  proceedings  at  the  Supper — the 
Toasts  and  Responses — the  genial  flow  of  wit  and 
eloquence — the  absence  of  Wine — the  presence  of 
Women — the  Music  and  the  Singing — and  the  finale 
of  the  Festival,  the  union  of  four  or  five  hundred  in 
the  pleasures  of  the  dance,  agreeably  diversified  the 
amusements,  and  seemed  to  afford  the  fullest  enjoy- 
ment to  every  one  present. 


PEINTEES'     BANQUET 


Believing  from  the  enthusiastic  notices  of  the 
Press,  and  the  universal  approbation  of  all  who  par- 
ticipated in  the  festivities,  that  many  would  be  glad 
to  possess  a  full  Keport  of  the  Celebration  in  a  per- 
manent form,  the  Society  appointed  the  undersigned 
to  prepare  the  Proceedings  for  printing.  The  Com- 
mittee have  performed  their  duty  to  the  best  of  their 
ability,  but  have  been  delayed,  greatly  beyond  their 
expectation,  by  waiting  for  some  of  the  "  copy,"  which 
will  account  for  the  lateness  of  the  publication. 


DANIEL  GODWIN, 
C.  C.  SAVAGE, 
B.  R.  BARLOW, 


>  Com.  of  Publication. 


(Dpmtog  dbk 


BY    WM.     OLAND    BOURNE. 


Up  the  mountains  of  toil,  and  the  stern  labor-steeps, 

With  his  eye  on  the  sun  in  its  splendor  and  might, 
Till  he  reached  the  high  peak  where  his  genius  still  keeps 

In  its  brightness  and  power  a  time-during  light : 
Wlule  he  stood  in  the  storm  when  the  tempest  was  wild, 

And  the  thunders  of  heaven  loudly  rolled  o'er  his  head. 
With  the  lightnings  he  played,  and  the  storm's  fiery  child 

Bringing  down  to  the  Earth  as  it  harmlessly  sped. 

See  the  flashes  of  Truth  as  they  leap  from  the  sky ! 

Hark  !  the  thunders  of  wrath  o'er  the  despots  are  hurl'd ! 
And  the  lightnings  come  down  on  their  way  as  they  fly, 

For  the  might  of  "  The  Press  "  is  the  Key  for  the  world ! 
E'en  the  clouds  looming  dark  in  the  azure  of  heaven, 

Bear  the  tidings  of  bliss  and  of  Liberty's  birth — 
For  the  chains  and  the  fetters  of  Tyranny  riven 

Shall  but  rust  in  the  tomb,  and  leave  Freedom  to  Earth. 

While  the  Press  shall  endure,  with  its  truth-pealing  tongue 
Shall  the  tribute  be  paid  to  his  toil  and  his  fame, 

And  where  Freemen  their  paeans  of  triumph  have  snug, 

They  shall  speak  of  his  worth,  and  shall  honor  his  name! 

With  the  Heroes  of  Truth  he  shall  stand  on  the  roll — 
With  the  Fathers  of  Science  shall  speak  evermore — 

And  where  Freedom  shall   waken  high  thoughts  in  the  soul. 
Shall  the  genius  of  Franklin  illumine  the  shore  I 


BY    PETER    C.    BAKER, 

PRESIDENT    OF   THE   N.    Y.    TYPOGRAPHICAL    SOCIETY. 


Friends, — Ladies  and  Gentlemen: 

Permit  me,  on  behalf  of  the  New- York  Typographical 
Society,  to  express  the  pleasure  we  feel  in  beholding  so 
large  a  number  assembled  this  evening  to  participate  in 
a  celebration  of  the  Birth  of  one  whose  name  and  fame, 
though  the  common  property,  not  alone  of  our  country,  but 
of  the  world,  is  more  particularly  dear  to  those  who  daily 
pursue  the  same  profession  in  which  he  labored,  and  by  the 
aid  of  which  he  raised  himself  to  the  summit  of  renown. 

It  is  peculiarly  proper  that  Printers  should  commemorate 
the  Birth-Day  of  Franklin ;  not  only  for  the  reason  that  his 
name  is  the  most  illustrious  in  the  annals  of  our  Art,  but 
also  because  his  history  is  so  full  of  instruction  and  encour- 
agement, that  we  must  all  be  profited  by  recalling  the  toils, 
the  trials,  and  the  triumphs  of  his  life.  His  character  presents 
a  model  which,  whoever  takes  for  his  copy,  will  receive  a 
corresponding  reward. 

The  appropriateness  of  a  Printers'  Festival  or  Banquet 
upon  the  Birth-Day  of  Franklin  will  be  readily  admitted  by 
all ;  and  when  we  add  to  the  other  considerations,  the  influ- 
ence of  such  a  reimion  in  cultivating  fraternal  feelings,  in 


8  printers'    banquet. 

forming  friendships,  and  in  fostering  a  pride  in  our  profession, 
the  occasion  becomes  one  of  real  utility  and  benefit.  Much 
might  be  said  in  illustration  of  the  advantages  of  such  meet- 
ings, but  cannot  be  by  me  at  this  time.  I  am  necessarily 
restricted,  and  must  present  for  your  consideration  a  Project 
which  is  deemed  to  be  one  of  the  most  important  objects 
connected  with  this  occasion.  Previously,  however,  to  doing 
this,  I  may  be  allowed  to  make  a  brief  statement  concerning 
the  New- York  Typographical  Society. 

This  Society  was  instituted  in  1809,  by  a  number  of 
Printers  in  this  city,  for  the  purpose  of  "  affording  relief  to 
indigent  and  distressed  members,  their  widows  and  orphans, 
and  others  who  might  be  found  proper  objects  of  charity." 
In  1818,  the  Society  was  incorporated  by  an  act  of  the 
Legislature,  and  re-chartered  in  1832  for  fifteen  years,  which 
expiring  in  1847,  it  has  since  been  incorporated  under  the 
General  Law  of  the  State  enacted  in  1848.  It  will  be  seen 
by  this  statement,  that  this  institution  has  been  in  operation 
over  forty  years,  and  is  consequently  the  oldest  of  its  character 
in  our  city. 

In  the  earlier  years  of  its  history,  it  was  strictly  a  Chari- 
table institution — giving  relief  only  to  such  as  were  found  to 
be  in  really  indigent  circumstances.  It  has  since  become  a 
Benefit,  or  an  Insurance  Society — guaranteeing  to  every 
member,  irrespective  of  his  pecuniary  condition,  a  certain 
weekly  sum  in  case  of  sickness  or  accident.  The  change 
which  has  been  made  in  this  respect  is  in  keeping  with 
public  sentiment,  and  uniform  with  nearly  all  the  beneficial 
associations  now  in  operation. 

There  is  truly  something  holy  in  that  kind  of  Charity 
which  "droppeth  ;ts  the  gentle  rain  from  heaven,"  but  as 
understood  and  exercised  by  the  world,  we  would  prefer 
to  avoid  being  iis  recipients.  There  is  ;i  natural  feeling  in 
man  which  revolts  at  the   thoughl   of  being  dependent.      It 


THE     PRESIDENT'S     ADDRESS.  9 

is  one  of  the  noblest  attributes  of  his  nature,  and  is  the  prop 
which  supports  him  without  Charity's  aid. 

"  Thy  spirit,  Independence,  let  me  share, 
Lord  of  the  lion  heart  and  eagle  eye," 

is  a  noble  sentiment,  keeping  the  head  erect  and  the  heart 
high — worthy  of  working  for — fit  for  freemen  ! 

If  a  member  of  our  Society  be  sick,  he  receives  the  sum 
he  has  contracted  for ;  not  as  a  stinted,  grudging  gift,  but  as  a 
debt  due  for  value  received.  This  is  not  charity — it  is  better 
— it  is  the  brother's  own — invested  by  him  when  in  health, 
to  be  returned  when  needed.  No  one  is  abashed — no  one  is 
ashamed  to  receive  his  own. 

I  have  deemed  it  necessary  to  speak  more  particularly  on 
this  subject,  because  of  the  misrepresentations  of  some  misin- 
formed persons,  who  have  alleged  that  we  still  pursue  the  old 
relief  system,  and  discriminate  in  reference  to  benefits.  To 
put,  I  hope,  entirely  at  rest,  such  unfounded  detractions,  I 
take  this  opportunity  publicly  to  assert,  that  the  New- York 
Typographical  Society  meets  its  obligations  as  cheerfully  and 
as  promptly  as  any  similar  institution  in  our  city,  and  never 
makes  a  member's  pecuniary  circumstances  a  condition  of 
payment.  During  its  long  career,  it  has  never  failed  to 
meet  all  demands  against  its  treasury,  and  at  this  time  is 
in  a  better  condition  than  at  any  previous  period. 

Aside  from  the  security  guaranteed  to  all  who  may 
become  entitled  to  benefits,  the  Typographical  Society  pre- 
sents peculiar  claims  upon  every  member  of  our  profession, 
and  it  seems  singular  that  so  many  should  neglect  it.  It  is 
"formed  exclusively  of  their  associates — of  men  to  whom 
they  are  bound  by  the  ties  of  a  common  pursuit,  common 
tastes  and  habits,  and  long  intercourse."  Surely,  no  other 
association  can  have  stronger  claims  upon  the  Printer  than 
one  which  is  devoted  entirely  to  his  interest ;  and,  to  quote 


10  PEINTEES'     BANQUET. 

from  the  Introduction  to  our  Constitution,  "Can  any  good 
reason  be  offered  why  we  should  prefer  the  welfare  of  our 
own  families  to  that  of  other  families,  or  to  that  of  the  com- 
munity at  large,  which  does  not  equally  bind  us  to  prefer 
the  welfare  of  our  own  professional  brethren  to  that  of  the 
members  of  other  professions  ?" 

We  seek  to  increase  our  numbers  because  we  feel  that 
it  will  be  for  the  benefit  of  all  who  unite  with  us,  and  also 
for  the  best  interests  of  our  profession — inducing  kindlier 
feelings,  removing  prejudices,  and  creating  an  "esprit  du 
corps  "  which  will  tend  further  to  elevate  our  fraternity. 

We  have  reason  to  believe  that  the  influence  which  this 
Society  is  capable  of  exerting,  is  being  felt,  for  since  our  last 
festival,  an  increased  interest  has  been  manifested,  and  we 
have  received  as  members  many  of  the  most  respectable 
persons  connected  with  the  business. 

Although  the  New- York  Typographical  Society  has  been 
in  existence  more  than  forty  years,  yet  its  objects  are  still 
unknown  to  many,  and  therefore  it  may  not  be  amiss  to  read 
the  three  last  sections  of  the  First  Article  of  the  present 
Constitution ;  they  fully  explain  the  principal  features  of  our 
Association,  and  with  a  few  remarks  upon  them,  I  shall  leave 
its  claims  for  the  consideration  of  all  who  are  qualified  for 
membership,  trusting  that  they  may  be  induced  to  enroll 
themselves  as  members  of  our  time-honored  institution. 

§  3.  Any  printer  or  stereotyper,  between  the  ages  of  twenty-one  and  fifty, 
who  has  worked  five  years  at  his  business,  and  is  in  sound  health,  and  of  good 
moral  character,  may  become  a  member  of  the  Society  by  complying  with  the 
requirements  of  the  Constitution. 

§  4.  The  objects  of  the  Society  shall  be,  the  relief  of  sick  and  super- 
annuated members,  their  widows  and  orphans — the  cultivation  of  feelings  of 
mutual  friendship  and  respect  between  employers  and  journeymen — and 
general  intellectual  improvement. 

5  5.  In  no  case  shall  the  Society  interfere  in  respect  to  the  prices  of  labor. 


the    p president's    add e ess.  11 

A  word  of  remark  in  reference  to  this  last  section,  which 
prevents  us  from  interfering  in  relation  to  prices.  This 
restriction  was  imposed  by  the  terms  of  the  original  charter 
granted  in  1818 ;  and  without  wishing  to  disparage  those 
associations  which  have  been  formed  for  the  purpose  of 
maintaining  a  certain  scale  of  prices,  I  may  express  the 
opinion,  that  the  long  career  of  prosperity  which  this  institu- 
tion has  enjoyed,  is  mainly  attributable  to  this  restrictive 
provision  of  its  Constitution.  Granting  the  necessity  of  com- 
bination in  certain  cases,  yet  it  cannot  be  disputed  that  an 
association  which  embraces  both  employers  and  journeymen, 
and  as  large  a  proportion  of  the  one  as  the  other,  must  exert 
a  very  material  and  beneficial  effect  upon  the  remuneration 
of  labor.  Both  reason  and  experience  go  to  prove  that  more 
can  be  effected  by  a  friendly,  fraternal  feeling,  between 
employers  and  journeymen,  than  by' any  plan  which  relies 
on  compulsion,  and  engenders  ill-will  between  many  worthy 
men,  who,  if  instead  of  being  separated,  were  brought 
together,  would  soon  complete  an  amicable  arrangement. 

One  of  the  prominent  features  connected  with  the  New- 
York  Typographical  Society,  is  "  the  cultivation  of  feelings 
of  mutual  friendship  and  respect  between  employers  and 
journeymen ;  and  though  prevented  from  enforcing  a  cer- 
tain scale  of  prices,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  it  exerts  an 
important  and  useful  influence  upon  the  recompense  of 
labor. 

The  effect  of  uniting  the  employed  and  employer  in  a 
society,  is  also  very  advantageous  in  many  other  respects. 
By  acting  together  as  members  and  officers,  an  intimacy  and 
an  interest  are  formed,  which  is  felt  in  the  daily  exercise  of 
our  calling ;  and  as  they  visit  each  other  in  sickness,  and 
perform  the  various  duties  of  membership,  they  cannot  but 
be  mutually  concerned  in  each  other's  welfare. 

There  is  a  great  and  a  good  influence  exerted  by  this 


12  PEINTEES'      BANQUET. 

Union,  and  were  it  extended  throughout  our  profession, 
would  render  it  the  most  happy  and  prosperous  of  any  which 
is  followed  by  man. 

Those  feelings  of  reserve  and  coldness  on  the  one  hand, 
and  dislike  and  distrust  on  the  other,  which  we  too  often  see 
exhibited,  would  soon  give  place  to  cordiality  and  confidence, 
were  the  different  members  of  our  craft  placed  in  a  position 
where  they  could  more  clearly  see  and  truly  estimate  each 
other's  character.  The  New- York  Typographical  Society  is 
admirably  adapted  for  such  a  purpose — such  is  its  purpose — 
and  it  should  be  cherished  and  sustained  by  all  who  would 
realize  "how  good  and  how  pleasant  it  is  for  brethren  to 
dwell  together  in  unity." 

I  have  already  said  sufficient,  I  trust,  to  show  the  bene- 
ficial operation  of  this  institution.  That  which  is  most  worthy 
of  commendation,  is  the  influence  it  exerts,  or  is  capable  of 
exerting,  in  elevating  the  character  of  those  who  practise  our 
art ;  in  cultivating  feelings  of  friendship  and  respect  among 
the  members  of  our  profession ;  and  also  its  tendencies  to 
create  a  social  equality  of  employers  and  journeymen.  Men 
here  meet  on  a  common  level  as  printers,  and  each  one  is 
judged,  viewed,  and  rewarded,  agreeably  to  his  qualities  and 
abilities. 

No  right-thinking  man  can  object  to  this.  Be  his  position 
ever  so  high,  if  he  has  reached  it  by  superior  ability,  sagacity, 
or  industry,  he  need  have  no  fear  of  compromising  the  dig- 
nity of  his  station,  or  of  losing  caste,  by  connecting  himself 
with  an  institution  which  has  enrolled  as  members  many 
who  have  achieved  the  highest  reputation,  not  only  in  our 
own  profession,  but  also  in  the  walks  of  literature  and 
science. 

But  I  must  close  my  remarks  upon  the  objects  and  claims 
of  our  Society,  trusting  that  enough  has  been  said  to  favor- 
ably impress  my  auditors.     Brief  as  I  have  endeavored  to  be3 


THE     PEESIDENT'S      ADD  E  ESS.  13 

I  fear  I  have  not  allowed  myself  sufficient  time  to  properly 
present  the  project  before  alluded  to. 

In  introducing  the  subject  of  a  Printers'  Reading  Room 
and  Library,  it  should  be  premised,  that  the  members  of 
the  N.  Y.  Typographical  Society  commenced  making  dona- 
tions of  books,  to  establish  a  Library,  in  the  year  1823 ;  con- 
tributions have  continued  to  be  made  from  time  to  time,  and 
at  present,  through  the  liberality  of  members  and  friends,  the 
Library  numbers  over  2000  volumes,  comprising  many  valu- 
able works  in  nearly  every  department  of  literature. 

The  increased  interest  manifested  in  the  Society  during 
the  past  year,  has  extended  to  the  Library,  and  successful 
applications  for  donations  of  books  have  been  made  to  several 
of  the  most  prominent  publishers  of  this  city.  The  liberality 
of  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  respectable  gentlemen  connected 
with  our  profession,  has  also  enabled  us  to  make  improve- 
ments, and  add  many  valuable  works  to  the  Library. 

Anxious  to  extend  the  privileges  which  they  enjoy,  the 
members  have  thought  of  throwing  open  their  Library  for  the 
use  and  advantage  of  all  the  printers  of  this  city.  A  few 
months  since  a  committee  was  appointed  to  report  upon  the 
practicability  of  raising  a  fund  for  the  establishment  of  a 
Printers'  Public  Reading  Room  and  Library.  After  sufficient 
consideration  the  committee  reported  favorably,  and  spoke  of 
the  project  in  the  strongest  terms  of  commendation.  They 
presented  a  detailed  statement  of  the  probable  expense,  and 
thought  it  could  be  covered  by  §600,*  which  sum  was  pro- 
posed to  be  raised  by  annual  subscriptions  from  persons  con- 
nected directly  or  indirectly  with  the  printing  business.  No 
doubt  was  expressed  that  this  comparatively  small  amount 


*  This  is  probably  too  low  an  estimate — $800  or  $1000  would  be  safer 
and  sufficient. 


14  PEINTEES'     BANQUET. 

could  readily  be  realized  by  application  to  the  proper  per- 
sons. The  Report  of  this  committee  was  unanimously 
adopted  at  a  general  meeting  of  the  Society.  It  was  decided 
to  bring  the  subject  before  this  meeting,  and  after  being  pre- 
sented for  the  consideration  of  those  present,  it  was  under- 
stood that  a  detailed  plan  should  be  prepared  and  circulated, 
with  subscription  papers,  among  the  printers  and  publishers 
of  the  city. 

Having  been  selected  to  present  the  principal  features  of 
the  project,  I  shall  be  obliged  to  be  very  brief,  and  trust  to  the 
fulness  of  the  plan  which  will  be  drawn  up,  to  explain  and 
enforce  much  which  cannot  be  offered  this  evening. 

Fully  convinced  as  I  am  of  the  advantages  of  a  Reading 
Room  and  Library  for  the  recreation  and  instruction  of 
printers,  I  yet  know  that  it  will  require  much  effort  to  con- 
vince many  of  the  utility  of  the  undertaking.  This  is  known 
as  a  utilitarian  age,  and  any  enterprise,  to  succeed,  must  be 
self-evidently  useful  as  well  as  practicable.  It  must  also  be 
shown  that  it  will  be  profitable,  or  its  virtues  alone  will  not 
establish  it. 

The  project  which  I  would  present  for  your  favorable 
consideration,  has,  I  fully  believe,  utility,  practicability,  and 
profit,  to  recommend  it,  as  I  shall  endeavor  briefly  to  show. 

There  are,  probably,  fifteen  hundred  printers  in  this  city ; 
a  large  proportion  of  these  are  young,  single  men,  who  have 
come  from  various  parts  of  our  country,  and  have  no  other 
homes  here  than  such  as  public  boarding-houses  afford. 
Without  the  tics  of  kindred,  and  with  but  few  opportunities 
for  enjoying  the  social  intercourse  of  the  family  circle,  they 
are  constantly  exposed  to  all  the  temptations  of  a  city,  and  in 
many  cases,  no  doubt,  are  led  to  forget  their  duty,  and  con- 
tract habits  which  Kiey  at  first  would  shun  as  degrading, 
merely  from  the  \v;mi  of  a  place  where  they  could  meet  and 
•"i,,v  themselves  after  the  Labors  of  the  day. 


THE     PRESIDENT'S     ADD  E  ESS.  15 

This  large  class  would  be  immediately  reached  and 
greatly  benefited,  by  the  opening  of  a  room  to  which  they 
would  be  nightly  invited  by  the  presence  of  acquaintances,  by 
books,  by  periodicals,  and  by  files  of  papers  from  every  part 
of  the  country. 

The  utility  of  the  project  before  us,  in  this  connection 
alone,  must  be  admitted  by  every  one  at  all  conversant  with 
the  circumstances  of  our  business.  But  it  is  not  only  this 
class  who  would  be  reached  and  improved ;  the  apprentices 
should  also  be  included  as  participants  in  its  advantages ; 
and,  in  fact,  all  others  who  follow  the  same  calling.  Printers 
are  peculiarly  a  reading  class,  and  the  experience  which  we 
have  had  in  our  Society  goes  to  show,  that  a  Public  Reading 
Room  and  Library  would  be  very  generally  used  by  the 
various  members  of  our  profession. 

Of  the  practicability  of  the  undertaking  there  can  be  no 
uncertainty,  if  its  utility  is  admitted,  and  its  advantages  per- 
ceived. All  that  is  necessary  in  order  to  put  the  plan  into 
operation,  is  to  raise  a  sum  sufficient  to  pay  the  rent  of  a 
suitable  room,  the  services  of  a  Librarian,  and  a  few  inciden- 
tals of  light,  insurance,  etc.  As  has  been  stated,  the  expense, 
not  including  the  fitting  up  of  the  room,  could  be  covered  by 
about  §600  a  year.  This  may  seem  too  small  a  sum,  yet 
when  it  is  recollected  that  it  is  only  proposed  to  keep  the 
room  open  in  the  evening,  for  the  first  year  at  least,  and  that 
books  and  papers  would  in  most  cases  be  cheerfully  donated 
by  publishers,  it  will  be  seen  that  our  expenses  would  be 
much  lower,  in  proportion,  than  any  other  similar  institution. 

The  establishment  of  a  Printers'  Public  Reading  Room 
and  Library,  then,  depends  upon  the  securing  of  only  some 
$600  by  contributions  from  the  Printers  of  this  city.  Can  it 
be  done  ?  "Who  can  doubt  it,  if  the  members  of  our  profession 
will  only  say  it  shall  be  ! 

I   might  greatly  extend   my  remarks  in  presenting  the 


16  PEINTEES'     BANQUET. 

many  advantages  which  might  be  derived  from  such  an 
institution  owned  and  controlled  by  Printers,  but  I  think  they 
are  self-evident.  The  principal  features  must  be  understood 
by  all,  from  the  operation  of  many  other  institutions  similar  to 
that  which  we  propose. 

The  pecuniary  profit  accruing  from  the  establishment  of  a 
Printers'  Reading  Room  might  not  be  much,  but  morally  and 
intellectually  many  would  be  gainers. 

Another  inducement  may  be  offered  to  both  employers 
and  journeymen  for  their  mutual  advantage.  A  Register  of 
situations,  vacant  and  wanted,  would  be  kept ;  and  those 
requiring  assistance  could  send  immediately  to  the  Librarian, 
who  would  at  once  enter  the  wants,  so  that  they  could  be 
seen  by  those  out  of  employment. 

This  feature  alone  seems  almost,  if  not  quite  a  sufficient 
inducement  for  both  employers  and  journeymen  to  unite  in 
possessing  such  a  convenience.  The  knowledge  of  a  Register 
being  kept,  would  induce  many  to  visit  the  room  every  even- 
ing ;  and  the  large  number  of  Printers  who  come  to  this  city 
almost  every  day  in  search  for  employment — total  strangers 
to  all  here,  without  home  or  friends — would  find  at  our  read- 
ing-room those  who  would  give  them  much  useful  advice  and 
assistance. 

This  room  could  also  be  made  the  depository  of  speci- 
mens of  the  best  workmanship — of  beautiful  books,  bills, 
cards,  and  the  finest  work  of  every  description;  and  in  this 
way  do  much  to  improve  the  taste  of  the  profession.  This 
feature,  I  know,  will  recommend  our  project  to  all  who 
entertain  a  pride  in,  and  desire  for,  the  advancement  of 
our  Art. 

A  profession  whose  whole  time  and  labor  is  devoted  to  I  ho 
dissemination  of  knowledge,  the  building  of  Libraries,  and 
the  manufacture  of  reading  for  the  million,  might,  without 
exciting  the  surprise  or  envy  of  any  one,  at  least  possess  a 


THE     PEESIDENT'S     ADD  E  ESS.  17 

room  in  which  to  preserve  and  peruse  specimens  of  its  own 
work.     And  this  is  all  that  is  asked  for. 

The  Printers  of  New- York  should  and  must  erect  a 
Library  in  honor  of  the  "Art  Preservative."  Why  not  a 
Printers'  Library  as  well  as  an  Historical  Library,  a  Mercan- 
tile Library,  or  a  Law  Library?  The  Printer's  claims  and 
wants  are  as  good  and  as  real  as  those  of  any  other  class ; 
and  if  full  justice  were  done  him,  and  his  Library  presented 
with  a  copy  of  every  book  which  he  printed,  he  would  in 
time  possess  a  collection  outnumbering  that  of  Alexandria. 
Then  he  might  call  on  his  friend  the  Public  to  help  him  read 
the  proof  of  his  labor ;  and  as  he  explained  how  each  letter 
of  each  word  in  each  line  of  each  page  in  all  those  thousands 
of  volumes,  was  picked  up  one  by  one, — one  by  one, — and 
printed  sheet  by  sheet,  form  by  form,  book  by  book,  and  all 
for  the  good  of  mankind,  his  friend  would  grasp  his  hand  in 
love,  call  him  his  best  benefactor,  and  acknowledge  that 
indeed  he  did,  and  deserved  to  exercise  some  influence  in  this 
Republic  of  Letters. 

But  not  to  be  extravagant,  let  me  conclude  by  asking  all 
present  identified  with  our  calling,  to  give  the  subject  which 
I  have  broached  a  candid  and  careful  consideration.  There 
are  many  who  have  it  in  their  power  to  enable  this  Society  to 
put  in  operation  an  institution  which  in  time  might  rival  the 
most  noble  and  useful  in  our  land.  To  such,  particularly, 
we  appeal  in  favor  of  our  project ;  and  trust  that  they  may 
be  induced  to  do  as  much  for  the  Printer,  as  they  often 
and  cheerfully  do  for  others  less  closely  connected  to  them 
by  daily  manifested  interest,  and  years  of  friendly  inter- 
course. 

At  least  give  us  the  means  to  test  the  experiment  for  a 
year ;  and  at  our  next  annual  celebration  we  feel  certain  we 
shall  be  enabled  to  assure  you  that  our  most  sanguine  hopes 
have  been  realized — in  the  advancement  of  our  Art,  in  the 


18  PEINTEES'      BANQUET. 

moral  and  intellectual  improvement  of  its  members,  and  in 
the  mutual  good  will  of  all  who  practise  our  profession. 

With  this  appeal,  I  leave  the  fate  of  our  project  with  those 
who  are  able  to  give  it  shape  and  tangibility,  trusting  when 
the  plan  is  prepared  for  their  approval  and  subscription,  that 
they  may  cheerfully  unite  in  establishing  an  institution, 
which,  standing  as  a  monument  in  honor  of  the  "Art  Pre- 
servative," shall  ever  hold  in  grateful  remembrance  the  names 
of  its  earliest  friends  and  founders.* 

*  It  is  proper  to  state  here,  that,  in  response  to  this  appeal,  the  Beach 
Brothers,  of  the  N.  Y.  Sun,  publicly  offered  any  sum  not  exceeding  $600 
towards  the  establishment  of  the  proposed  Reading  Room  and  Library.  This 
announcement  was  received  with  great  enthusiasm  by  the  audience,  and  there 
is  no  doubt  that  many  more  subscriptions  would  have  been  made,  had  a 
general  invitation  been  given  ;  but  not  anticipating  immediate  responses,  and 
being  restricted  as  to  time,  the  President  did  not  feel  authorized  to  call  for 
donations  on  that  evening.  At  the  first  meeting  after  the  Celebration,  the 
Society  appointed  a  Committee  to  prepare  a  Complete  Plan  for  the  establish- 
ment of  the  Project ;  and  they  are  now  engaged  in  their  duties. 


(Dntfioii 


BY    W.     L.     S.     HARRISON 


Ladies  and  Gentlemen, — 

Mr.  President  and  Gentlemen  of  the  New-  York  Typographical  Society : — 

The  names  of  the  great  men  of  a  country,  distinguished 
for  their  virtues  or  their  genius,  are  the  brightest  jewels  in  the 
coronet  of  a  nation's  glory.  They  mark  the  character  of  the 
age  in  which  they  live.  They  leave  the  impress  of  their 
genius  upon  the  institutions  of  their  time.  They  give  an 
impulse  and  direction  to  the  character  and  feelings  of  their 
countrymen.  Such  men  have  lasting  claims  upon  the  grati- 
tude of  their  fellow-men  ;  for  too  frequently  the  success  of 
political  institutions  depends  entirely  upon  the  character  and 
direction  derived  from  those  who  assisted  in  framing  and 
establishing  them.     As  a  people,  we  point  with  pride  to  our 

"  Henry,  the  forest-born  Demosthenes, 
Whose  thunder  shook  the  Philip  of  the  seas  !" 


To 


"  Franklin,  whose  quiet  name  ascends  to  heaven, 
Calming  the  lightnings  which  his  hand  hath  riven  !' 

"  While  Washington's  a  watchword  such  as  ne'er 
Shall  fade,  while  there's  an  echo  left  to  air  !" 


20  PEINTEES'     BANQUET. 

We  regard  the  date  of  their  advent  into  the  world  as  a  day  to 
be  remembered — a  day  in  which  Heaven  cast  one  of  her 
blessings  upon  the  human  race.  We  remember  only  the  day 
of  their  birth — for  they  are  not  dead  ;  they  live  for  ever  in  the 
monuments  they  have  reared — in  the  soul-stirring  and  un- 
dying memories  they  leave  behind  them. 

Could  he  whose  birth  we  now  commemorate  stand  in  our 
midst,  and  contemplate,  with  us,  the  high  attainments  of  the 
present  age,  and  the  brilliant  future  that  lies  before  us,  his 
lofty  soul  would  be  filled  with  high  hopes  for  humanity,  and 
his  manly  heart  would  beat  with  an  intense  love  for  the  Art 
to  which  he  was  devoted,  and  in  which  he  gloried.  In  his 
day  the  seeds  of  those  principles  and  influences  were  sown, 
which  are  now  working  such  wonderful  and  beneficial  results 
to  the  human  race.  For  who,  surrounded  by  the  light  and 
learning  and  civilization  of  the  nineteenth  century,  can  fail  to 
trace,  amid  the  mighty  and  stirring  events — the  gigantic 
efforts  of  human  genius — that  are  now  ringing  the  loud 
plaudits  of  the  world,  the  movements  of  a  mighty  principle, 
the  glorious  results  of  a  great  and  powerful  cause  ?  Who 
cannot  find  food  for  reflection  in  the  warring  of  discordant 
principles  and  passions  ? — in  the  vast  and  rapid  changes  that 
are  hourly  occurring  around  us  ?  Never — and  you  may 
search  every  page  in  the  annals  of  the  human  race — has  the 
mind  of  man  been  so  thoroughly  aroused,  and  the  energies  of 
the  nations  so  gloriously  and  so  conspicuously  exerted. 

When  was  there  the  time  when  so  many  mighty  and 
ennobling  Ideas  were  promulgated  and  discussed?  when  the 
masses  of  mankind  seemed  so  thoroughly  aroused  to  a  sense 
of  their  true  interests,  or  a  knowledge  of  their  just  rights? 
\\ Tien  were  such  heroic  struggles  ever  put  forth  to  break  the 
fetters  of  despotismj  and  to  shiver  into  atoms  the  rotten 
thrones  thai  have  for  ages  enslaved  the  people?  Was  it  in 
Greece,  when  she  revelled  in  the  glory  of  her  pride,  and  the 


THE     OEATION.  21 

might  of  her  power  ?  Was  it  in  Italy,  when  the  valor  of  the 
stern  Romans  had  pushed  the  flight  of  the  Eagles  from  the 
Apeninnes  to  the  distant  regions  of  Caledonia — to  the  burning 
sands  of  Sahara — from  the  waters  of  the  Euphrates  to  the 
Pillars  of  Hercules  ?  Was  it  when  Europe  rushed  to  arms  at 
the  call  of  the  Hermit,  and  launched  her  chivalry  against  the 
might  of  Saladin — the  concentrated  powers  of  the  Crescent 
— to  sweep  from  the  sacred  precincts  of  the  Holy  City  the 
unhallowed  footsteps  of  the  followers  of  Mahomet  ?  Or  was 
it  in  a  still  later  day,  when  Liberty  crowned  her  young 
votary  with  the  honors  of  Lodi,  Areola,  and  Marengo,  only  to 
be  withered  in  the  fires  of  Waterloo  ?  No  !  the  loftiest  and 
sublimest  efforts  of  the  human  race  have  been  reserved  for 
our  own  day  and  generation.  These  events  have  not  yet 
entirely  passed  away.  The  full  rush  and  fury  of  the  storm 
has  passed,  but  the  distant  echoes  of  the  tempest  are  still 
borne  to  our  ears. 

But  yesterday,  the  lightning  was  not  rapid  enough  to  con- 
vey to  the  expectant  nations  the  tidings  of  stirring  changes 
and  mighty  events.  You  have  not  yet  recovered  from 
the  trembling  anxiety,  the  exciting  expectancy,  felt  by  all,  to 
learn  that  France  had  emerged  into  the  full,  light  of  a  free 
Republic  ;  that  Italy  was  about  to  resume  her  rank  among 
the  nations ;  and  that  Kossuth,  Bern,  and  Dembinski  had 
conducted  the  gallant  Hungarians  through  one  of  the  noblest 
struggles  recorded  in  the  annals  of  the  world. 

But  recently,  throughout  old  Europe,  from  every  moun- 
tain, hill,  and  plain,  rang  the  loud  chorus  of  excited  millions, 
exulting  in  the  prospect  of  freedom.  The  fires  of  Revolution 
were  again  kindled,  and  their  lurid  light  cast  a  transient 
splendor  over  the  face  of  the  nations.  The  Citizen  King 
from  his  dream  of  power  was  hurled  to  the  shades  of  ob- 
livion ;  the  craftiness  and  duplicity  of  the  Metternichs  and 
Talleyrands  were  baffled  by  the  stern  resolves  of  an  awak- 


22  PEINTEKS'      BANQUET. 

ened  people  ;  and  kings  and  princes  gave  their  assent  to 
constitutions  and  laws  enlarging  the  liberty  of  their  subjects, 
and  abridging  their  own  powers.  Revolutionary  France 
raised  the  first  standard,  and  her  manly  cheer  found  a  fitting 
response  in  the  besieged  breasts  of  the  undying  Romans,  and 
an  answering  shout  from  the  plains  of  Hungary.  But  alas  ! 
a  few  short  months,  and  the  voice  of  the  patriot  is  silenced, 
and  Liberty  is  seen  only  amid  clouds  and  amid  tears. 
Though  the  fires  burn  no  longer,  they  are  not  quenched  ; 
though  the  song  of  Liberty  is  hushed,  yet  the  melody  of  her 
voice  still  rings  on  the  ears  of  the  people  ;  though  the  patriot 
is  disarmed,  yet  the  throne  is  not  safe.  And  why  ?  Because 
a  mighty  Idea  has  seized  possession  of  the  mass.  A  thou- 
sand burning  thoughts  have  rushed  through  the  minds  of  the 
people.  Hearts  that  before  were  passionless,  now  beat  with 
generous  impulses  and  high  hopes  of  the  future.  Grand  and 
ennobling  passions  have  filled  the  minds  of  men — ardent 
longings  and  mighty  desires  are  concentrating  hitherto  dor- 
mant energies,  yet  to  do  battle  for  Freedom  and  regenerate 
the  nations. 

The  causes  which  have  led  to  the  convulsions  that  have 
so  signally  marked  our  own  age,  find  their  origin  in  a  distant 
day  ;  and  silently  they  have  been  gathering  strength  through 
a  series  of  years,  until  at  length  they  have  rolled  themselves 
with  irresistible  power  upon  the  present  generation.  It  is  not 
our  intention,  neither  were  it  our  desire  at  this  time,  to  enter 
into  an  examination  of  the  causes  that  have  worked  together 
to  produce  the  magnificent  results  witnessed  in  our  own  day. 

We  design  merely  to  allude  to  the  master  moving  cause 
of  all — you,  gentlemen,  being  engaged  in  accelerating  its 
wonderful  results.  Printing — ay,  the  discovery  of  Printing 
— wrought  a  mightier  revolution  among  men  than  the  irrup- 
tions of  Attila  and  Alaric,  or  the  successes  of  Mahomet.     The 


THE     OEATION.  23 

"  movable  types"  of  Johannes  Faust  have  swept  away  insti- 
tutions and  systems,  theories  and  superstitions,  as  the  mists 
of  the  morning  are  rolled  away  before  the  beams  of  the 
ascending  sun.  More  potent  than  the  artillery  of  armies, 
they  have  levelled  to  the  dust  the  intrenchments  of  forty  ages 
of  ignorance  and  error,  superstition  and  crime  ! 

The  morning  of  the  15th  century  dawned  gloriously  and 
brilliantly  upon  a  long  night  of  darkness  and  ignorance, 
during  which  all  the  knowledge  and  learning  of  the  world 
had  been  confined  to  the  cowled  priest  and  the  mitred  abbot. 
For  Books  there  were  none,  and  manuscripts  were  rare, 
and  accessible  only  to  the  nobles  and  the  great,  who  rarely 
found  time,  from  their  wars  and  their  pleasures,  to  examine 
their  contents  and  profit  by  their  knowledge.  And  even  had 
they  been  accessible  to  the  lower  orders,  their  dependent 
social  position  effectually  precluded  them  from  the  refining 
influences  of  mental  culture.  The  peasant  was  ruled  by  his 
feudal  chief — the  chief  by  the  king — and  the  king  by  the 
church.  The  history  of  that  period  is  the  history  of  Despot- 
ism. Its  most  prominent  events  were  the  shackling  of  mind 
and  the  persecutions  of  genius.  Every  step  of  the  human 
intellect  encountered  the  fierce  hatred  of  power,  and  met  the 
same  punishments  with  Gallileo.  It  is  a  record  of  wars 
waged  for  ambition,  and  of  the  encroachments  of  power  upon 
the  rights  of  man. 

Imperial  Rome,  for  fourteen  centuries  the  seat  of  a  military 
power  that  had  given  her  the  proud  title  of  Mistress  of  the 
World,  had  now  been,  for  a  period  nearly  as  long,  the  seat 
and  centre  of  a  Religious  power  whose  sway  had  become  far 
more  potent  than  that  of  her  ancient  name.  Obscured  by 
those  barbaric  irruptions  that  blotted  her  Empire  from  the 
page  of  history,  she  stood  forth,  in  the  earlier  ages  of  the 
Christian  era,  the  Head  of  the  visible  Church,  and  the  sole 
Conservator  of  the   learning   and   literature   of  the   known 


*24  PEIXTEES'     BANQUET. 

world.  All  that  remained  to  man  of  the  science  of  Egypt, 
the  arts  of  Greece,  and  the  refinements  of  the  Augustan  age, 
rested  with  her  priests  and  her  monks,  and  was  to  be  found 
only  within  the  walls  of  her  monasteries.  Her  sway  sprang 
from  her  knowledge ;  for  the  ecclesiastical  orders  were  the 
only  orders  educated.  The  high  in  rank  and  the  low  in 
station  bowed  beneath  it.  She  ruled  by  the  power  of  relig- 
ious faith,  and  the  sanctity  of  religious  observances  ;  the  only 
influence,  perhaps,  that  could  so  long  have  held  sway  over 
the  strong  passions  of  rude  and  untutored  Europe. 

But  that  degeneracy  which  invariably  follows  the  exercise 
of  unquestioned  power,  had  silently  found  its  way  into  her 
councils,  and  had  shown  itself  in  her  practices :  and  ere  the 
the  voice  of  Luther  rang  through  Europe,  the  mind  of  man 
was  prepared  for  disenthralment,  and  anxiously  awaiting 
the  day  when  its  dreams  of  Religious  Freedom  might  be 
realized. 

The  first  gleam  of  light  that  broke  from  an  obscure  spot 
in  one  of  the  streets  of  Mentz,  proved  to  be  the  glimmering 
dawn  of  that  day,  which  has  since  well  nigh  reached  its 
meridian  glory.  That  feeble  gleam,  scarcely  perceptible  at 
first,  has  since  spread  and  irradiated  wide  over  the  earth  ; 
the  dark  recesses  of  mind,  and  the  cloistered  gloom  of 
monasteries,  have  poured  forth  then  hidden  stores  of  wisdom 
and  learning,  to  liberate  the  conscience  bound  by  creed,  and 
the  soul  enslaved  by  power  ! 

As  rapidly  as  printed  books  were  multiplied  and  sent  forth 
among  men,  did  mankind  advance  in  the  scale  of  mental, 
moral,  and  social  elevation.  The  Printing  Press,  scattering 
the  jewels  of  truth  and  knowledge  far  and  near,  wrought 
wondrous  miracles  among  men.  The  masses  began  to  under- 
stand each  other — began  clearly  to  perceive  their  rights,  and 
deeply  to  feel  the  irresistible  power  which,  when  united,  they 
were  capable  of  wielding. 


THE      OEATIOiS".  25 

Contrast  Europe  of  the  12th,  13th  and  14th  centuries,  with 
Europe  of  the  19th  century.  Then  the  Christian  religion 
struggled  like  a  half-smothered  light  amid  the  storms  of  a 
dark  and  a  barbarous  age.  The  advocates  of  human  rights 
and  human  freedom  were  accounted  heretics,  to  be  punished 
only  at  the  stake.  Human  genius  took  no  higher  range  than 
human  vision.  That  which  men  could  not  see,  they  did  not 
understand — and  that  which  passed  their  understanding,  they 
bowed  to  in  fear  and  in  worship.  Man  dreamed  not  of  per- 
sonal liberty  and  intellectual  freedom. 

But  now,  the  scene  how  changed  !  The  day  of  tyranni- 
cal domination  over  the  mind  of  man  has  gone  by.  Free 
thought,  shackled  since  Adam,  has  found  a  fitting  utterance 
in  the  simple  discovery  of  Faust !  The  thunders  of  the 
Vatican  are  unheeded  and  harmless.  The  doctrines  of 
Human  Rights  are  every  where  discussed.  The  spirit  and 
the  tendency  of  the  age  is  onward — onward  to  that  glorious 
consummation — Universal  Liberty  and  Universal  Intelligence. 
Printed  Books  have  scattered  among  men  the  rich  conceptions 
of  genius,  and  the  profound  discoursings  of  the  philosopher. 
Through  their  agency,  humanity  has  been  enabled  to  profit 
by  the  experience  of  the  past,  and  the  worthy  examples  of  the 
great,  the  wise,  and  the  good  of  all  ages. 

The  revival  of  letters,  the  spread  of  knowledge,  and  the 
wide  dissemination  of  those  truths  and  principles  which 
elevate  and  dignify  the  character  of  man,  soon  changed 
completely  the  whole  face  of  society.  War  gave  way  to  the 
refining  influences  of  peace — the  Sword  to  the  refined  subtle- 
ties of  diplomacy — the  martial  character  of  the  people  to  the 
softening  and  civilizing  influence  of  letters  and  the  arts. 
Books  were  in  the  hands  of  men ;  and  kings  and  princes 
were  taught  the  wholesome  lesson,  that  to  rule  and  to  be 

it,  and  to  perpetuate  their  rule  and  greatness,  the  people 
must  be  exalted,  or  the  throne  would  be  abased.    The  human 


26  pein  tees'    banquet. 

mind,  once  aroused  from  the  lethargy  in  which  it  had  slum- 
bered for  ages,  awakened  to  the  progressive  principles  of  its 
nature,  and  to  a  consciousness  of  its  own  resources — its  march 
thenceforward  was  for  ever  onward,  —  the  Printing  Press, 
gathering  the  rich  jewels,  the  treasures  of  thought,  of  intellect, 
and  of  genius,  and  pouring  them  on  its  pathway,  to  guide 
and  illumine  its  splendid  destiny. 

The  down-trodden  millions  of  Europe  are  as  yet  only  in 
the  first  stage  of  progression.  Their  gigantic  efforts  have  not 
yet  succeeded  in  breaking  the  manacles  that  bow  down  their 
energies.  But  they  have  accomplished  much.  Their  rights, 
once  despised,  are  now  respected.  They  have  manifested 
their  power,  for  the  Pope  has  been  dethroned,  and  the  august 
seat  of  Charlemagne  is  vacant,  and  without  a  crown. 

Foremost  among  the  agencies  which  the  progress  and 
improvement  of  the  present  age  have  produced,  stands  the 
influence  of  the  Periodical  Press.  This  is  peculiarly  the 
work  of  our  own  time,  and  of  our  own  progressive  Anglo- 
Saxon  race.  It  comes  not  from  the  dim  regions  of  far  anti- 
quity, venerable  with  the  wisdom  of  ages,  and  glorious  with 
the  bright  associations  of  classic  lore.  We  claim  it  as  the 
birthright  of  modern  civilization — as  the  last  crowning  glory 
of  our  prolific  and  progressive  age.  It  is  our  own,  and  well 
may  we  exult  in  its  possession,  and  point  with  pride  to  its 
omnipotent  influence  and  its  most  wonderful  results.  Like 
all  mighty  creations,  either  in  nature  or  art,  its  origin  was 
humble,  and  its  growth  slow  and  gradual.  Its  advent  was 
connected  with  events,  and  cheered  by  auspices,  of  which 
yon,  Ladies,  and  your  sex  throughout  Christendom,  have  just 
cause  to  feel  proud.  The  most  glorious  period  in  the  long 
line  of  brilliant  events  that  have  distinguished  tbe  reign  of 
England's  virgin  Queen,  gave  birth  to  this  favored  child  of 
Printing — the  all-potent  and  efficient  Newspaper. 


THE     ORATION.  27 

Called  into  existence  at  a  critical  period  in  the  history  of 
England — when  the  integrity  of  the  nation  was  jeopardized 
by  the  most  gigantic  naval  combination  that  the  history 
of  the  world  had  then  presented — when  terror  and  alarm  had 
reached  all  classes  of  society — this  first  little  Newspaper,  the 
"  English  Mercurie"  the  pioneer  of  its  class,  exerted  the 
desired  influence,  and  produced  the  effect  Avhich  Elizabeth 
designed  in  its  establishment.  As  its  encouraging  bulletins 
spread  to  the  remotest  corners  of  the  island,  quiet  was  restored 
to  her  people  ;  the  alarm  which  the  approach  of  the  mighty 
Armada  had  engendered,  soon  subsided  ;  and  with  the  com- 
plete annihilation  of  this  formidable  force,  all  necessity  for  the 
Newspaper  seemed  at  an  end.  But  its  advantages  had  been 
seen — its  utility  felt ;  and  the  public  mind  would  not  wil- 
lingly dispense  with  an  agency  so  potent  for  good,  and  so 
general  in  its  influence. 

Little  did  Elizabeth  think,  when  she  caused  this  herald 
of  good  tidings  to  be  sent  among  her  people,  that  it  would 
become  the  forerunner  of  a  class  as  numerous  as  the  sands  of 
her  sea-girt  Isle  ;  and  the  influence  of  which  was  destined 
soon  to  spread  to  the  four  quarters  of  the  globe,  and  ulti- 
mately to  become  co-extensive  with  the  mind  of  man. 

Two  hundred  years  witnessed  its  slow  but  maturing 
growth,  struggling  with  the  prejudices  of  religious,  and  the 
undisguised  opposition  of  political  power.  While  the  printers 
of  books  were  made  the  signal  recipients  of  royal  bounty, 
and  were  distinguished  by  the  favors  of  emperors,  kings,  and 
popes,  the  editors  and  printers  of  Newspapers,  in  every 
country  and  under  all  governments,  were  continually  sub- 
jected to  the  punishments  and  persecutions  of  those  in  power. 
All  the  engines  of  despotic  and  corrupt  rulers  were  put  in 
motion  to  stifle  the  free  expression  of  men's  thoughts.  Ex- 
purgatory  enactments,  the  confiscation  of  property,  and  even 
death,  were    called    into  requisition,  to  cramp    the  energies 


28  printers'    banquet. 

of  the  rising  Press.  But  the  impetus  had  been  given ;  the 
death-knell  of  national  ignorance  and  religious  bigotry  had 
been  sounded  ;  and  with  the  increasing  enterprise  of  the 
commercial  world,  the  diffusion  of  printed  books,  and  the 
discussion  of  religious  creeds,  the  progress  of  the  Newspaper 
Press  was  steadily  and  rapidly  onward. 

Although  few  in  number,  and  feeble  in  influence,  the 
dawn  of  the  present  century  found  the  Newspaper  Press  in  a 
position  where  its  power  for  usefulness  was  every  where  felt. 
The  discussion  of  political  measures,  and  of  the  acts  of  men 
in  power,  had  been  attempted  to  a  limited  extent.  In  Eng- 
land, the  right  of  the  Press  to  animadvert  upon  the  acts  of 
the  reigning  powers,  was  carefully  watched,  and  its  exercise 
too  frequently  punished.  Men  were  beginning  to  feel  the 
truth  of  Sheridan's  words :  "  Give  me  a  tyrant  King — give 
me  a  hostile  House  of  Lords — give  me  a  corrupt  House  of 
Commons — give  me  the  Press,  and  I  will  overthrow  them, 
all!" 

The  Church,  wielding  a  power  that  had  brought  mon- 
archs  in  suppliance  at  her  footstool,  had  interposed  all  the 
appliances  of  bigotry  and  prejudice  to  stifle  the  spirit  of  free 
discussion  which  breathed  from  every  column  of  the  Press: 
hut  vain  were  all  her  efforts.  The  power  of  the  Throne, 
invoking  to  its  aid  the  majesty  of  law,  and  the  efficacy  of 
prison,  persecution,  and  a  stringent  code  of  libel,  proved 
equally  impotent  to  shackle  or  restrain  the  advancing  influ- 
ence of  the  Press. 

And  now,  emerging  from  the  fires  of  persecution,  not 
unscathed,  but  still  powerful  to  accomplish  its  heaven-sent 
mission, -it  soon  became  one  of  the  controlling  influences  of 
the  age,  and  at  the  present  day  forms  a  necessary  (dement  in 
the  political  composition  of  every  civilized  nation  of  the 
world. 

Hut,   Ladies  and  Gentlemen,  while  the   freedom  of  the 


THE     ORATION.  29 

Press  has  found  eloquent  and  untiring  champions  in  other 
countries,  it  has  been  reserved,  in  a  peculiar  manner,  for  our 
own  country,  to  bring  the  Periodical  Press  to  its  present  grati- 
fying state  of  development.  True,  we  are  but  co-laborers 
with  the  friends  of  freedom  throughout  Christendom,  in  the 
work  of  extending  its  benign  influence  :  but  no  country  or 
clime  on  earth  presents  to  the  view  of  man,  the  glorious  spec- 
tacle of  a  Free  Press  exerting  a  moral  influence  greater  than 
that  of  any  civil  or  political  power  known  to  the  constitution 
or  the  laws.  In  England,  the  perfection  of  this  influence 
was  the  work  of  long  years  ;  with  us,  it  is  the  work  of  the 
present  generation.  When  he  whose  name  has  become  in- 
separably identified  with  our  vocation,  commenced  his  career 
as  the  conductor  of  a  public  journal,  and  asserted  the  inherent 
right  of  the  Press  to  discuss  the  acts  of  public  men,  his  course 
was  denounced  as  an  encroachment  upon  the  rights  of  rulers 
that  must  not  be  tolerated.  The  whole  proprietary  influence 
of  the  province  of  Pennsylvania  was  enlisted  to  check  the 
spirit  of  free  discussion  that  threatened  soon  to  become  con- 
tagious.    But  the  strong  will  that 

"  Tamed  the  lightnings  which  his  hand  had  quelled," 

was  found  able  to  vindicate  the  inalienable  right  for  which 
he  contended  ;  and  ere  the  close  of  his  lengthened  career,  he 
beheld  the  Liberty  of  the  Press,  in  common  with  the  liberty 
of  his  country,  another  devoted  object  of  his  life,  placed  upon 
a  secure  and  firm  foundation. 

Since  his  day,  its  power  has  vastly  increased,  its  influ- 
ence has  become  appreciated,  and  its  efficiency  greatly  aug- 
mented. Less  than  half  a  century  has  wrought  the  wonderful 
change  ;  a  single  generation  has  witnessed  its  almost  perfect 
development.  It  has  sprung,  like  Minerva,  full-formed  from 
the  head  of  the  youthful  Jupiter  of  nations.     And  our  fathers. 


30  PEINTEES'      BANQUET. 

just  passing  from  the  scene  of  action,  are  bequeathing  to  us 
this  proud  heritage  of  intelligent  freemen.  As  the  venerable 
father,  tendering  his  beloved  at  the  bridal  altar,  gives  his 
parting  injunction  to  watch  and  cherish  her  as  a  life-treasure, 
so  they,  the  founders  of  the  Republic,  and  the  fathers  of  a 
Republican  Press,  are  conferring  upon  us  the  precious  boon  for 
which  they  struggled  through  years  of  hatred  and  obloquy — 
and  which,  in  the  councils  of  inscrutable  wisdom,  has  been 
ordained  to  become  the  bulwark  of  Freedom  throughout  the 
habitable  globe. 

It  were  needless,  Gentlemen  of  the  Typographical  Society, 
to  point  out  to  yoit,  whose  lives  have  been  identified  with  the 
"  Art,  of  all  arts  preservative,"  the  many  and  invaluable 
additions  which  the  mechanism  of  Printing  has  received  from 
the  artistic  skill  and  inventive  genius  of  our  countrymen. 
While  we  consider  this  a  source  of  pride,  we  desire  not  to 
make  it  a  subject  of  vain  boasting.  At  this  very  hour,  one 
known  to  many  of  you  is  spreading  an  invention  through 
Europe,  which  has  unquestionably  brought  to  perfection  those 
improvements  which  have  wrought  such  a  wonderful  revolu- 
tion in  Newspaper  Printing  during  the  present  age — an  in- 
vention which  has  placed  the  Daily  Newspaper  of  our 
country  in  the  front  rank  of  newspapers  throughout  the 
entire  realm  of  civilization.  The  movable  types  of  Faust 
have  become  the  revolving  types  of  Hoe  ;  and  with  the  tire- 
less genius  of  our  land  to  support  and  appreciate  an  enterpris- 
ing Press,  and  the  prescient  skill  of  our  Morse  to  flash  intelli- 
gence through  its  columns  quicker  than  thought,  and  in 
advance  of  time,  what  may  we  not  anticipate  from  the  rapidly 
approaching  consummation  of  its  influence  ? 

But  not  alone  in  the  Newspaper  department  of  our  Art, 
has  the  enterprise  and  skill  of  which  we  speak  been  so 
signally  manifested.  The  mechanism  of  Book  Printing  has 
fully  kept  pace  with  that  of  the  Newspaper.     Hundreds  are 


THE      ORATION.  31 

present  on  this  occasion  who  can  bear  ample  testimony  to  the 
precision,  dispatch,  and  perfection  which  the  improvements  of 
our  countrymen  have  accomplished  in  this,  the  most  impor- 
tant portion  of  our  high  calling. 

The  perfection  of  Book  Printing  is  the  work  of  a  compara- 
tively modern  date.  Singular  as  the  truth  may  seem,  the 
productions  of  the  Press,  during  the  first  fifty  years  following 
the  invention  of  the  Art,  bear,  in  typographical  appearance,  a 
favorable  comparison  with  the  best  specimens  produced  for 
three  hundred  years  thereafter.  Like  the  acknowledged  and 
well-defined  liberty  of  the  Periodical  Press,  the  beauty  and 
perfection  of  Books  at  the  present  day  are  the  result  of  the 
attention  and  exertions  of  the  last  half  century.  The  twenty 
years  immediately  subsequent  to  the  discovery  of  the  Art, 
witnessed  the  republication,  by  the  then  rude  and  unwieldy 
Press,  of  all  the  Poetry  and  Classics  of  antiquity,  till  then 
hoarded,  with  a  sacred  reverence  for  which  the  scholar  of  the 
present  day  should  and  does  feel  truly  grateful,  in  the  num- 
berless monasteries  throughout  Europe. 

This,  with  other  facts  of  a  corresponding  nature,  show 
that  the  benefits  which  the  Press  was  destined  to  confer  upon 
mankind  were  duly  appreciated  while  the  Art  was  yet  in  its 
infancy ;  and  fully  support  the  remark  of  an  intelligent 
writer,  that  "  the  era  which  gave  birth  to  Printing  was  pecu- 
liarly opportune  :  had  it  been  earlier,  it  would  not  have  been 
appreciated — had  it  been  much  later,  the  remains  of  classic 
learning  would  probably  have  disappeared  in  the  convulsions 
that  agitated  Europe." 

This  era  had  dawned  upon  the  world,  and  the  Art  had 
made  rapid  strides  in  usefulness,  long  ere  the  existence  of  this 
Western  Continent  was  known  to  man.  But  now,  in  that 
New  World,  which  then  existed  only  in  the  wild  fancies  of 
some  daring  mind,  this  glorious  Art  shines  forth  in  all  its 
power   and   brilliancy.      The   Q,ueen   City  of  the   Western 


32  PEINTERS'      BANQUET. 

Empire,  containing  the  hoarded  glory  and  learning  of  the 
Roman  name,  fell  to  the  Saracens  at  a  period  coincident  with 
the  invention  of  Printing,  and  her  splendid  Libraries  disap- 
peared before  the  barbaric  rule  of  her  invaders  : — an  Ameri- 
can citizen,  and  he  but  one  of  hundreds,  now  scatters  yearly, 
throughout  the  myriad  schools  of  our  land,  more  volumes 
and  more  knowledge  than  were  contained  in  all  the  Libraries 
of  Constantinople  in  her  palmiest  days  !* 

What  would  have  been  the  feelings  of  the  learned  Cicero, 
who  himself  tells  us  that  he  treasured  the  earnings  of  a  life  of 
toil  to  purchase  the  library  of  his  friend  Tacitus,  could  he 
have  witnessed,  issuing  from  the  press  of  our  friend — with 
whose  name  you  are  all  familiar — issuing  in  one  day  Books 
sufficient  to  make  twenty  such  libraries  as  the  historian 
possessed. 

What,  too,  would  be  the  feelings  of  all  the  hoary  and 
venerable  fathers — the  Poets,  the  Orators,  the  Philosophers  of 
by-gone  ages,  could  they,  leaving  their  sepulchral  homes, 
stand  in  our  midst  this  night,  and  behold  men  who,  in  a 
single  year,  have  given  to  their  countrymen  and  the  world  a 
greater  amount  of  books,  of  volumes,  of  knowledge,  than  were 
contained  in  all  the  combined  libraries  of  antiquity,  from  the 
time  of  the  Egyptian  kings  to  the  days  of  Faust  !t 

Look,  too,  for  a  moment,  at  the  extent  of  our  Newspnp<M 
Press.  Twenty  years  ago,  with  a  population  of  twelve 
millions,  there  were  more  Newspapers  printed  and  read  in 
the  United  States,  than  the  whole  of  Europe  possessed,  witli 

*  The  Libraries  of  Constantinople,  at  the  period  of  her  fall,  contained 
some  300,000  volumes.  During  1849,  the  single  house  of  A.  S.  Barnee  & 
Co.,  of  New-York,  issued  as  many  volumes — 90  per  cent,  of  which  were 
school  and  mathematical  works. 

f  The  house  of  Harper  &  Brothers,  of  New-York,  issue  at  the  presenl 
time,  over  three  mil/ions  of  volumes  every  year!  For  the  lasl  ton  years  thej 
In  .«•  1st  lied  annually  an  average  of  two  and  a  half  millions  of  volumi 


THE      ORATION.  33 

a  population  numbering  more  than  two  hundred  millions  of 
souls. 

Such,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen,  is  our  Free  Press — the  "  glory 
of  a  free  country."  We  prize  it  as  our  heart's  blood.  The 
sun  shines  not  on  the  power  that  can  shake  it  from  its  firm 
foundations.  Like  the  everlasting  granite  hills  of  our  eastern 
shores,  it  stands  impregnable  to  the  assaults  of  enemies  from 
without,  and  immovable  to  the  more  insidious  attacks  of 
enemies  from  within.  Based  upon  the  rock  of  the  Constitu- 
tion, even  the  power  that  so  ordained  it  were  impotent  to 
demolish  it :  but  now,  being  planted  upon  the  firmer  rock  of 
an  intelligent,  virtuous  and  thinking  people,  the  mind  of  man 
knows  no  agency,  earth  no  power,  that  can  endanger  its 
existence,  or  restrict  its  influence  ! 

We  have  thus  endeavored,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen,  to 
present  a  condensed  idea  of  the  character,  influence,  and 
importance  of  the  American  Press.  The  task,  we  feel,  has 
been  but  feebly  and  imperfectly  performed.  A  theme  so  vast 
may  well  engage  the  attention  of  the  most  profound  thinker. 
To  its  proper  consideration  your  speaker  would  not  aspire  ; 
and  he  therefore  willingly  leaves  it  for  abler  hands.  But,  in 
viewing  the  present  and  prospective  influence  of  the  Press,  the 
mind  naturally  reverts  to  the  concomitant  greatness  and 
prosperity  of  our  country.  Toward  that  favored  clime  the 
eyes  of  unnumbered  millions  are  now  turning ;  and  not  a 
prow  cleaves  nor  a  sail  whitens  the  waters  of  the  broad 
Atlantic,  but  bears  to  this  western  home  of  Freedom  hearts 
that  can  never  prove  recreant  to  her  cause.  Like  the  faithful 
Mussulman,  their  fondest  desire  is  once  at  least  to  visit  the 
Mecca  of  their  political  hopes,  and  scan,  with  an  elated 
vision,  the  last  abiding-place  of  all  that  is  dear  to  Liberty  on 
earth.  It  is  there,  then,  that  we  behold  our  country.  On  a 
high  mental  and  moral  elevation,  firmly  based  upon  the 
3 


34  printers'    banquet. 

everlasting  foundations  of  an  educated  people  and  an  intelli- 
gent public  mind,  she  stands  proudly  conspicuous  in  the  van 
of  the  nations — a  beacon-light  to  the  oppressed  millions  of 
mankind.  Her  giant  arms  span  the  landmarks  of  two  mighty 
oceans.  With  one  hand  she  stands  ready  to  pour  the  riches 
and  the  treasures  of  the  East,  into  the  lap  of  civilization  just 
springing  into  a  glorious  existence  in  the  West ; — the  other, 
outstretched  with  a  mighty  and  an  august  power,  to  protect 
the  rights,  the  interests,  and  the  glory  of  her  children.  Upon 
her  brow,  radiant  with  the  light  of  civilization,  and  glowing 
in  the  consciousness  of  a  sublime  public  policy,  you  behold 
no  laurels  such  as  adorned  Earth's  mistress,  all-mighty 
Rome,  when  she  held  the  sceptre  of  universal  power.  The 
glory  that  encircles  her  is  not  the  glare  of  the  battle-field,  the 
pride  of  the  chieftain,  nor  the  splendor  of  military  achieve- 
ments. Neither  is  it  the  glory  of  antiquity — of  a  thousand 
years  of  splendid  rule — of  conquests  in  every  land  and  on 
every  sea.  No  !  it  is  far  nobler,  far  brighter  than  all  these. 
Her  youth  is  the  manhood  and  the  prime  of  other  nations. 
Her  arteries  are  full  of  the  life-blood  of  national  health — for 
they  have  not  been  drained  in  useless  conquests,  that  waste 
alike  the  blood  and  the  treasures  of  a  people.  Her  splendor 
is  of  her  own  creation.  It  is  the  energy  and  the  intellectual 
might  of  her  people,  that  have  reared  the  majestic  temple 
that  attracts  the  admiration  of  the  world. 

Mere,  no  class  withers  under  the  ban  of  exclusion.  Here, 
you  can  point  to  no  career  that  is  not  open  to  the  ambition  of 
the  penniless  hoy  equally  with  that  of  the  most  favored  child 
of  wealth  and  fortune — to  no  position  to  which  the  humblest 
may  not  aspire.  Wealth  alone  gives  not  rank;  and  distinc- 
tion is  the  icw  aid  of  merit,  and  of  unceasing  and  untiring 
exertions. 

Look  around  you  ; — no  insignias  of  rank,  nor  emblems  <^\' 
power   strike    your   vision;  no  empty  titles,  nor  orders       ivi 


THE      ORATION.  35 

leged  to  fatten  upon  and  consume  the  strength  of  our  people. 
The  pride  of  industry,  the  vigor  of  enterprise,  and  the  dignity 
of  labor,  have  an  existence  in  our  midst.  The  smiles  of  the 
same  heaven  light  upon  us  all  ;  the  blessings  of  the  same 
land  are  bequeathed  to  us  all  ;  the  same  Star  Spangled 
Banner  is  the  pride  of  us  all  ;  and  free  as  the  winds  that 
nutter  in  its  folds,  are  every  man's  desires  and  every  man's 
ambition. 

Our  country  at  this  time  presents  a  most  gratifying  spec- 
tacle to  the  world.  Hither  are  flocking  the  refugees  of  all 
nations.  The  Patriot,  whose  uplifted  arm  has  been  struck 
down  by  the  iron  rod  of  despotism,  while  striking  manfully 
for  the  rights  and  liberties  of  his  native  land,  finds  here  a 
secure  asylum,  where  he  can  offer,  undisturbed,  a  pure  wor- 
ship at  the  shrine  of  Freedom.  The  poor  peasant,  whose 
home  has  been  invaded  by  the  emissary  of  power,  his  off- 
spring ruthlessly  taken  to  fill  the  armies  of  the  tyrant,  and 
whose  substance  has  been  snatched  from  him  to  enrich  his 
lord,  finds  here,  within  our  vast  borders,  ample  room  to  build 
his  cottage  and  his  home  :  whilst  industry  and  economy 
provide  abundant  means  to  convert  that  cottage  to  a  palace — 
give  the  blessings  of  education  to  his  children — and  place 
within  their  reach  a  proud  distinction  in  the  walks  of  life. 
Yes,  let  them  come  !  Westward,  along  the  track  of  the  sun, 
lie  stretched  almost  illimitable  Lands,  where  new  empires 
are  yet  to  be  founded,  and  where  new  temples  arc  yet  to  be 
reared  and  dedicated  to  Liberty  and  Religion. 

Contemplate  the  transcendent  view  that  opens  to  our 
gaze  !  Across  that  broad  continent,  the  favored  home  of  a 
free  Press  and  a  virtuous  people,  mighty  and  magnificent 
rivers  irrigate  and  fertilize  the  soil  ; — great  lakes,  vast  inland 
seas—which  will  become  yet  the  means  of  intercommunica- 
tion between  great  and  powerful  States  ; — mountains  of  un- 
surpassed  sublimity   and   grandeur   stand    like   sentinels   of 


;>G  PRINTEES'     BANQUET. 

Freedom,  proudly  bidding  defiance  to  the  storms  that  lash 
die  surges  of  the  Pacific  !  v\nd  if,  in  the  changes  and  muta- 
tions of  human  society,  Europe  should  feel,  pressing  upon  her 
borders,  the  nomadic  hordes  thai  traverse  the  vast  steppes 
from  the  confines  of  ( 'liina  to  the  waters  of  the  Euxine,  and 
should  they  succeed  in  passing  the  boundaries  <>!'  civilization, 
and  revive  the  dark  memories  of  the  Goth,  the  Vandal,  and 
the  Hun,  a  thousand  fleets  would  waft  across  the  waters  to 
l his  favored  and  benignant  land,  the  arts,  the  arms,  the  civi- 
lization of  Europe,  here  to  revive  and  flourish,  and  surpass 
the  brilliant  glories  of  Italy  and  Greece. 


3MbM 


BY     HORACE     G  It  E  E  L  E  Y 


The  ancient  Egyptians  had  a  custom  of  seating  at  their 
feasts  the  robed  skeleton  of  some  departed  friend,  whose  stern 
silence  contrasted  strikingly  with  the  mirth  and  hilarity  of 
his  living  companions.  I  believe  scholars  are  not  agreed  as  to 
the  purpose  and  meaning  of  this  strange  custom — whether  the 
rigid,  silent  guests  were  intended  to  say  to  the  festal  throng, 
"  Enjoy  and  revel  while  you  may,  for  Time  flies,  Man  per- 
ishes ;  in  a  few  years  all  is  dust,  is  nothing — therefore,  make 
haste  to  quaff  the  wine  while  it  sparkles,  to  seize  pleasure 
while  the  capacity  of  enjoyment  remains  to  you  ;"  or  rather 
to  impress  the  opposite  sentiment — "  Life  is  short ;  Life  is 
earnest;  stupendous  consequences  hang  suspended  on  your 
use  or  abuse  of  the  speck  of  time  allotted  you  ;  therefore, 
be  temperate  in  your  indulgence,  moderate  in  your  festive 
mirth,  and,  seeing  in  what  I  am  what  you  soon  must  be, 
consider  and  beware !"  I  shall  not  of  course  pretend  to 
decide  this  grave  question,  though  I  shall  assume  for  the 
occasion  that  the  latter  is  the  true  rendering  ;  and,  in  accord- 
ance with  the  elemental  idea,  I  venture  to  assume  among  you 
to-night  the  functions  of  the  Egyptian's  silent  monitor ;  and 
while'  others  stir  you  with  lofty  eloquence,  or  charm  you  with 
dulcet  flatteries — with  pictures  of  the  grand  achievements  of 


38  PRIISTTEKS'      BANQUET. 

our  Art  in  the  past  and  its  brilliant  prospects  for  the  future,  I 
shall  speak  to  you  frankly  of  our  deficiencies,  our  failings, 
and  the  urgent  demands  upon  us  for  new  and  more  arduous 
exertions  in  yet  unrecognized  fields  of  duty. 

It  is  now  some  four  centuries  since  the  discovery  or  inven- 
tion of  our  Art,  fully  three  since  our  continent  began  to  be  the 
home  of  civilized  men,  and  more  than  two  since  the  Pilgrim 
fugitives  first  landed  on  Plymouth  Rock.  Since  that  landing, 
and  even  within  the  last  century,  what  amazing  strides  have 
been  made  in  the  diffusion  of  Knowledge  and  the  perfection 
of  the  implements  and  processes  of  Industry — in  the  efficiency 
of  Human  Labor,  and  the  facilitation  of  intercourse  between 
country  and  country,  clime  and  clime  !  The  steam-engine, 
the  spinning-jenny,  the  power-loom ;  the  canal,  steam-ship, 
power-press,  railroad  and  lightning-telegraph — these,  in  their 
present  perfection  and  efficiency,  are  a  few  of  the  trophies  of 
human  genius  and  labor  within  even  the  last  century. 

But  while  Labor  has  thus  doubled  and  quadrupled  its 
own  efficacy  in  the  production  of  whatever  is  needful  to  the 
physical  sustenance,  intellectual  improvement  and  social 
enjoyment  of  Man,  I  do  not  find  that  there  has  been  a  corres- 
ponding melioration  in  the  condition  of  the  Laborer.  That 
there  has  been  some  improvement  I  do  not  deny ;  but  has  it 
been  at  all  commensurate  with  the  general  progress  of  our 
race  in  whatever  pertains  to  physical  convenience  or  comfort  ? 
I  think  not ;  and  I  could  not  help  pondering  this  matter  even 
while  our  orator's  silvery  tones  were  delighting  our  ears  with 
poetical  descriptions  of  the  wonders  which  Science  and  In- 
vention have  achieved  and  arc  achieving.  I  could  not  help 
considering  that  while  Labor  builds  far  more  sumptuous 
mansions  in  our  d;iy  than  of  old.  furnishing  them  far  more 
gorgeously  and  luxuriously,  the  laborer  who  builds  those 
mansions  lives  oftencst  in  a  squalid  lodging  than  which  the 
builders  of  palaces  in  the  fifteenth  century  can  ha  nil  y  have 


MB.    geeeley's    address.  39 

dwelt  in  more  wretched  ;  and  that  while  the  demands  for 
labor,  the  uses  of  labor,  the  efficiency  of  labor,  are  multiplied 
and  extended  on  every  side  by  the  rush  of  invention  and  the 
growth  of  luxury  around  ns,  yet  in  this  middle  of  the  Nine- 
teenth Century  (call  it  last  year  of  the  first  half  or  the  first 
year  of  the  last  half  as  you  please)  Labor  is  a  drug  in  the 
market — that  the  temperate,  efficient,  upright  Worker  often 
finds  the  comfortable  maintenance  and  proper  education  of 
his  children  beyond  his  ability — and  that,  in  this  thriving 
Commercial  Emporium  of  the  New  World,  this  trophy  and 
pride  of  Christian  Civilization — there  are  at  this  day  not  less 
than  Forty  Thousand  human  beings  anxious  to  earn  the 
bread  of  honest  industry,  but  vainly  seeking,  and  painfully, 
despairingly  awaiting  opportunity  for  so  doing.  This  last  is 
the  feature  of  our  condition  which  seems  to  me  most  impor- 
tant and  commanding  :  and  it  is  to  this,  on  occasions  like  the 
present,  and  in  listening  to  such  orations  as  that  which  has 
just  delighted  us,  that  my  thoughts  are  irresistibly  turned. 

What  can  be  the  reason  of  this  ?  Why  is  it  that  these 
Forty  Thousand  strong-handed,  willing  Workers  stand  here 
thus  fixed,  enchained,  in  loathed,  despairing  idleness?  Why 
are  they  compelled  to  wear  out  our  pavements  in  hurrying 
hither  and  thither  in  anxious,  heart-sick  quest  of  something 
to  do  ?  with  downcast  looks  and  trembling  voice  beseechhur 
some  fellow-man  to  give  them  leave  to  labor  for  their  bread? 
I  trust  no  one  here  gives  any  heed  to  the  mumbling  of  self- 
styled  Political  Economists  about  "Over-Production"  and  the 
kindred  phrases  with  which  counsel  is  darkened.  "  Over- 
production"— of  what  1  Where  ?  Can  there  be  over-produc- 
tion of  Food,  when  so  many,  even  in  our  midst,  are  suffering 
tin-  pangs  of  famine  ?  "  Over-Production"  of  Clothing  and 
Fabrics,  while  our  streets  swarm  with  men,  women,  and 
children,  who  are  not  half-clad,  and  who  shiver  through  the 
night  beneath  the  clothing  they  have  worn  by  day?     "Over- 


40  PKINTEES'      BANQUET. 

Production"  of  Dwellings,  when  not  half  the  families  of  our 
city  have  adequate  and  comfortable  habitations,  not  to  speak 
of  that  large  class  whose  lodgings  are  utterly  incompatible 
with  decency  and  morality  ?  No,  friends  !  there  is  no  u  Over- 
Production"  save  of  articles  pernicious  and  poisonous,  like 
Alcoholic  Liquors,  Lewd  Books,  Implements  of  Gaming,  &c. 
Of  whatever  conduces  to  human  sustenance,  comfort,  or  true 
education^  there  is  not  and  never  has  been  too  much  pro- 
duced, although,  owing  to  imperfect  and  vicious  arrange- 
ments for  Distribution,  there  may  often  be  a  glut  in  the  ware- 
houses of  Trade,  while  thousands  greatly  need  and  would 
gladly  purchase  if  they  could.  What  the  world  eminently 
requires  is  some  wise  adjustment,  some  remodelling  of  the 
Social  machinery,  diminishing  its  friction,  whereby  evert/ 
person  willing  to  work  shall  assuredly  have  work  to  do,  and 
the  just  reward  of  that  work  in  the  articles  most  essential 
to  his  sustenance  and  comfort.  It  may  be  that  there  is 
indeed  a  surplus  of  that  particular  product  which  some 
man's  labor  could  most  skilfully  or  rapidly  produce — Pianos, 
Watches,  or  Gauzes,  for  example — and  therefore  it  may  be 
advisable  to  intermit  for  a  season  the  production  of  these — 
yet  the  skill,  the  faculty,  the  muscular  energy  required  in  that 
particular  department  of  production,  might  nevertheless  be 
made  available,  even  though  in  a  subordinate  degree,  in  the 
fabrication  of  some  kindred  product  for  which  there  is  a 
demand  among  the  general  mass  of  consumers.  I  maintain, 
then,  that  in  our  day  no  man  should  be  compelled  to  stand 
idle  or  wander  vainly  in  search  of  employment,  even  though 
that  particular  calling  for  which  ho  is  besl  fitted  has  now  no 
place  for  him,  but  that  the  palpable  sell-interest  of  the  com- 
munity should  prescribe  the  creation  of  some  social  Provi- 
dence expressly  to  take  care  thai  do  man,  woman,  or  child, 
shall  ever  stand  uselessly  idle  when  willing  and  anxious  to 
work.      Even   thf  most  injudicious  application  of  the  labor 


me.    geeeley's    address.  41 

now  wasted  through  lack  of  opportunity  could  not  fail  to 
increase  the  National  Wealth  to  the  extent  of  millions  on 
millions  per  annum,  while  its  effect  on  the  condition  of  the 
Laboring  Class,  in  preserving  them  from  temptation,  dissipa- 
tion, and  crime,  would  be  incalculably  beneficent. 

— Now  what  I  stand  here  to  complain  of  is  the  indifference 
and  inattention  of  the  Laboring  Mass,  and  especially  of  those 
entitled  to  a  leading  position  in  it,  like  the  Printers,  to  the  dis- 
cussion of  truths  so  grand  and  so  fruitful  as  the  Right  to  Labor. 
It  is  more  discussed,  more  pondered,  to-day,  by  Merchants, 
Capitalists,  Scholars,  and  men  who  are  called  Aristocrats,  than 
by  the  mass  of  those  who  earn  their  living  by  the  sweat  of 
the  face.  It  is  now  eighteen  years  since  I  came  to  this  city 
a  journeyman  printer,  during  which  years  I  have  been  inti- 
mately connected  with  our  craft  in  one  capacity  or  another, 
and  yet  I  have  never  heard  of  a  meeting  of  Printers  to  con- 
sider and  discuss  the  Rights  generally  of  Labor,  the  causes 
of  its  depression,  the  means  of  its  advancement.  During 
these  eighteen  years  there  have  been  hard  times  and  good 
times,  so  called  ;  seasons  of  activity  and  seasons  of  depression 
— in  the  course  of  which  the  country  has  been  'saved,'  I 
forget  how  often — our  city  has  doubled  in  population  and 
more  than  doubled  in  wealth — and  yet  the  Laboring  Class 
as  a  Class  is  just  where  it  was  when  I  came  here,  or,  if  any 
thing,  in  a  worse  condition,  as  the  increased  valuation  of 
Property  has  caused  advance  in  Rents  and  in  some  other 
necessaries  of  life.  Individuals  have  risen  out  of  the  Laboring 
Class,  becoming  buyers  of  Labor  and  sellers  of  its  Products, 
and  grown  rich  thereby ;  but  the  condition  of  the  Laboring 
Class,  as  such,  has  not  improved,  and  I  think  is  less  favorable 
than  it  was  twenty  years  ago.  Why  should  it  not  investigate, 
determine  and  develop  the  causes  of  this  ?  Why  not  consider 
the  practicability  of  securing  Work  and  Houses  to  all  willing 
to  work  for  them  ?     Can  we  imagine  that  improvement  is  to 


42  PRIXTEES'      BANQUET. 

come  without  effort  or  even  inquiry?  Is  it  the  order  of 
Nature  or  of  Providence  that  it  should  ?  Do  blessings  come 
to  other  classes  without  foresight  or  calculation?  I  have 
heard  complaints  that  Machinery  and  Invention  do  not  work 
for  the  Laboring  Class,  but  rather  against  them.  Concede 
the  assumption,  and  is  not  the  inquiry  a  fair  one,  What  has 
the  Laboring  Class  ever  done  to  make  Machinery  work  in  its 
favor?  When  has  it  planned,  or  sought,  or  calculated  to 
render  Machinery  its  ally  and  aid  rather  than  its  enemy  and 
oppressor  ? 

I  am  here  to-night  to  tell  you  that  you,  and  our  Trade, 
and  the  Laboring  Class  of  our  City,  have  been  glaringly 
unfaithful  in  this  respect  to  yourselves,  your  posterity,  and 
your  Race,  and  that  the  Workers  of  Paris,  for  example,  are 
in  advance  of  their  brethren  here  in  knowledge  of  and 
devotion  to  the  interests  and  rights  of  Labor.  And  I  am 
here  not  to  find  fault  merely,  but  to  exhort  you  to  awake 
from  your  apathy  and  heed  the  summons  of  Duty. 

I  stand  here,  friends,  to  urge  that  a  new  leaf  be  now 
turned  over — that  the  Laboring  Class,  instead  of  idly  and 
blindly  waiting  for  better  circumstances  and  better  times, 
shall  begin  at  once  to  consider  and  discuss  the  means  of 
controlling  circumstances  and  commanding  times,  by  study, 
calculation,  foresight,  union.  We  have  heard  to-night  of  a 
Union  of  Printers  and  a  Printers'  Library,  for  which  latter 
one  generous  donation  has  been  proffered.  I  have  little  faith 
in  giving  as  a  remedy  for  the  woes  of  mankind,  and  not 
much  in  any  effort  for  the  elevation  or  improvement  of  any 
one  section  of  Producers  of  Wealth  in  our  City.  What  I 
would  suggest  would  he  the  Union  and  Organization  of  all 
Workers  for  their  matual  improvement  and  benefit,  leading 
to  the  erection  of  a  spacious  edifice  at  some  central  point  in 
our  City  to  form  a  Laborers'  Exchange,  just  as  Commerce 
now  has  its  Exchange,  trery  properly.    Let  the  new  Exchange 


MR 


GREELEY'S      ADD  E  ESS. 


43 


be  erected  and  owned  as  a  joint-stock  property,  paying  a  fair 
dividend  to  those  whose  money  erected  it ;  let  it  contain  the 
best  spacious  Hall  for  General  Meetings  to  be  found  in  our 
City,  with  smaller  Lecture-Rooms  for  the  meetings  of  par- 
ticular sections  or  callings — all  to  be  leased  or  rented  at  fair 
prices  to  all  who  may  choose  to  hire  them,  when  not  needed 
for  the  primary  purpose  of  discussing  and  advancing  the 
interests  of  Labor.  Let  us  have  here  books  opened,  wherein 
any  one  wanting  work  may  inscribe  his  name,  residence, 
capacities  and  terms,  while  any  one  wishing  to  hire  may  do 
likewise,  as  well  as  meet  personally  those  seeking  employ- 
ment. These  are  but  hints  toward  a  few  of  the  uses  which 
such  a  Labor  Exchange  might  subserve,  while  its  Reading- 
Room  and  Library,  easily  formed  and  replenished,  should  be 
opened  freely  and  gladly  to  all.  Such  an  edifice,  rightly 
planned  and  constructed,  might  become,  and  I  confidently 
hope  would  become,  a  most  important  instrumentality  in  the 
great  work  of  advancing  the  Laboring  Class  in  comfort, 
intelligence  and  independence.  I  trust  we  need  not  long 
await  its  erection. 


franklin's  pke 


Closing  (Dk 


BY     FRANKLIN     J.     OTTERSON. 


Sons  of  Faust !  speed  the  Press,  till  its  truth-lighted  rays. 
That  consume  but  to  bless,  shall  dissolve  in  their  blaze 
Ev'ry  fetter  that   chains,  in  the  thought  or  the  deed, 
To  the  Tyrant  with  crown,  or  the  Tyrant  with  creed ! 

Sons  of  Faust !  speed  the  Press,  till  the  Errors  of  old, 
That  are  shrouding  the  Soul  in  their  fallacies  cold, 
Shall  fade  like  the  night-mist  when  daylight  appears, 
And  Man  shall  arise  from  the  thraldom  of  years  ! 

For  though  Despots  and  Bigots  prevail  for  an  hour, 
And  the  Press  seem  to  yield  to  the  triumph  of  power, 
While  they  tread  in  their  pride  on  the  corse  of  their  foe 
The  Etna  of  Vengeance  is  seething  below  ! 

It  shall  break  like  the  Earthquake,  and  none  may  withstand  ; 

It  shall  sweep  like  the  Whirwind,  from  land  unto  laud  ; 

It  shall  Hash  in  the  Lightning,  from  centre  to  pole; 

It  'hall  rend  ev'ry   shackle   from   limb  and   from  soul. 

Hail  to  thee,  Light-bringer !  God  speed  the  Press! 
God   speed  the   Day-dawn  that   sees  no  distress! 
When  the  fulness  of  Freedom  to  all  shall  he  given — 
Not  a  chain  on  the  Mind — not  a  throne  under  Heaven  ! 


/2X. 


a  &  t   a  Ct-  *t. 


<£ 


-/£0r7??Wc  >-,  w' 


€lje  litter 


After  the  Literary  Exercises  were  concluded,  and  the  Public 
Meeting  adjourned,  the  Company  retired  to  the  Assembly  Room 
and  Saloons,  while  preparations  were  making  for  the  Supper. 
When  the  Officers  and  Invited  Guests  had  taken  their  appointed 
places,  the-  bugle  was  sounded,  and  between  five  and  six  hundred 
Ladies  and  Gentlemen  entered  the  Supper  Room,  and  remained 
standing,  until  after  a  blessing  was  invoked  by  the  Rev.  Joseph 
Longking.  The  Supper,  prepared  under  the  supervision  of  Mr. 
Niblo,  was  all  that  could  be  desired,  and  gave  complete  satisfaction. 
Upon  its  conclusion,  the  President  of  the  Society  announced  that 
the  festive  ceremonies  would  now  commence  :  and  that  Gen.  Adoxi- 
ram  Chandler  would  preside,  assisted  by  Gen.  Geo.  P.  Morris, 
Major  James  Conner,  George  Bruce,  Esq.,  George  F.  Nesbitt,  Esq., 
Fletcher  Harper,  Esq.,  John  L.  Jewett,  Esq.,  and  David  II.  Reins, 
Esq. 

Gen.  Chandler  introduced  the  Toasts  with  the  following  remarks  : — 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen: — I  find  myself  occupying  a  position  to-night, 
through  the  partiality  of  my  friends  of  the  Typographical  Society,  which  I 
did  not  anticipate.  It  has  been  my  good  fortune  to  be  present  on  many 
occasions  of  festivity,  during  the  last  forty  years,  with  my  typographical 
brethren,  none  of  which  presented  a  scene  like  this.  I  have  always  been 
delighted  in  the  pursuit  of  an  art,  into  which  I  was  cast  by  fortune  at  a  very 
early  period  of  my  life.  When  I  review  the  changes  it  has  undergone,  the 
improvements  which  have  advanced,  and  with  it  the  great  interests  of  man- 
kind ;  the  disinterested  kindness,  and  generous  aspirations  of  my  early 
associates  in  the  art,  now  all,  or  nearly  all  departed ;  I  am  sometimes 
awakened  from  a  reverie,  in  which  fancy  is  wont  to  place  me,  as  being  quite 
alone  and  almost  forgotten.     We  must  be  reconciled,  however,  knowing  that 


46  PEINTEES'      BANQUET. 

change  is  the  inevitable  consequence  of  man's  earthly  existence.  I  hold  in 
my  hand  the  first  printed  record  of  this  Society,  dated  forty  years  ago.  To 
it  is  appended  a  list  of  all  its  members,  at  that  time  numbering  ninety-nine ; 
with  all  of  whom  I  was  on  terms  of  intimate  acquaintance.  Of  this  number, 
as  near  as  I  can  ascertain,  thirteen  only  are  among  the  living.  It  was  my 
expectation  to  have  met  some  of  this  remnant  here  to-night,  and  in  this  I  am 
not  altogether  disappointed.  It  may  be  inferred  that  this  exhibit  does  not 
augur  favorably  for  the  longevity  of  our  craft ;  nevertheless,  there  is  nothing 
in  the  practice  or  pursuit  of  the  art  of  printing  which  is  calculated  to  abridge 
the  duration  of  human  life,  save  and  except  the  culpable  ignorance  and  gross 
neglect  of  the  importance  of,  and  necessity  for,  proper  ventilation.  Our 
Printing  Offices  ever  have  been,  and  still  continue  to  be,  most  shamefully 
neglected  in  this  particular.  I  would  enlarge  upon  this  subject,  but  there  is 
so  much  remaining  to  be  done  before  we  can  enter  upon  that  part  of  the 
ceremonies  of  the  evening,  so  joyous  and  healthful  to  our  young  friends, 
that  I  must  refrain.  •  I  will  say,  however,  that  it  is  my  deliberate  opinion, 
after  an  experience  and  observation  of  half  a  century,  full  a  moiety  of  the 
cases  of  pulmonary  consumption,  which  consigns  to  the  grave  its  annual 
thousands  of  our  most  promising  youth,  may  fairly  be  attributed  to  this  fatal 
neglect ;  not  in  our  profession  particularly,  but  in  most  of  the  professions  of  art 
and  industry.  The  habitations  of  the  poor,  and  the  rich  also,  and  stranger 
still,  those  who  inhabit  the  open  country  and  till  the  soil,  are  badly  contrived, 
badly  ventilated,  and  kept  during  the  winter  at  too  high  a  temperature  for  the 
healthy  action  of  the  respiratory  organs  ;  hence  the  seeds  of  premature  decay. 
I  would  say  to  my  typographical  friends,  whose  calling  necessarily  places 
them  much  within  the  influence  of  this  horrible  vortex,  improve  every  oppor- 
tunity that  presents  itself  for  free  exercise  in  the  open  air,  studiously  avoiding 
sudden  changes  of  temperature,  and  every  excess. 

I  would  now  ask  the  company  to  be  in  order  for  the  first  regular  toast. 

I.  The  Memory  of  Franklin.     [Dirge] 

This  was  received  in  silence,  the  company  standing  while  the  Dirge  was 
played. 

II.  The  President  of  the  United  States. 
Music — Hail  Columbia. 

III.  Authors  and  Editors,  Printers  and  Publishers. — Per- 
sonifiers  and  promulgators  of  public  opinion — may  they  ever  keep 
pure  the  founts  from  which  the  people  drink. 

Upon  the  announcement  of  this  sentiment,  Mr.  John  Keese  being  loudly 
called  for,  rose,  and  spoke  as  follows  : 

Mr.  President: — I  feel  more  than  my  usual  diffidence  in  rising  to  respond 
to  a  sentiment  in  honor  of  the  publishing  fraternity  ;  more  particularly  as  I 
Bee  around  me  so  many  illustrious  citizens  of  the  Republic  of  Letters,  who 
could  with  more  propriety  be  called  upon  to  address  you.  It  was  a  saying, 
I  believe  of  Chesterfield,  "  that  he  had  made  more  friends  during  bis  life  by 


S*4ii 


y<ftef/&7/~ 


TOASTS      AND      E  ESPOUSES.  47 

a  proper  silence  than  he  had  by  opening  his  mouth  ;"  and  when  I  see  so 
many  Publishers  around  me,  ':  primed  and  cocked"  for  a  speech,  I  feel  that  I 
shall  secure  the  firm  friendship  of  every  one  of  them  by  remaining  quiet  in 
my  seat ;  and  yet,  Mr.  President,  as  I  have  not  unfrequently  (in  my  capacity 
as  Auctioneer  for  the  city  and  county  of  New- York)  knocked  down  many  a 
famous  Author  for  a  song,  I  certainly  feel  competent  on  this  occasion  to 
knock  down  any  of  these  distinguished  Publishers  for  a  speech. 

Mr.  President ;  I  am  but  an  Auctioneer  of  other  men's  ideas ;  it  is  my 
vocation  to  fan  the  winds  of  trade,  and  the  more  Trade  winds  the  better,  for 
they  bring  grist  to  a  mill — wind-mill  I  should  say,  where  I  nightly  grind  for 
the  benefit  of  an  intelligent  and  discriminating  audience.  I  trust  none  of  my 
friends  of  the  trade  will  ever  be  so  unfortunate  as  to  place  themselves  unre- 
servedly in  my  hands;  but  should  they  do  so,  they  may  depend  upon  the 
tenderest  blows  from  my  hammer  on  one  side  of  the  street,  and  I  may  also 
say  the  most  gentle  of  Bangs  on  the  other. 

Mr.  President ;  we  are  assembled  to  celebrate  the  day  of  Franklin's  birth, 
and  we  intend  also  to  ;;  make  a  night  of  it ;"  and  T  feel  that  it  is  peculiarly 
appropriate  that  the  Printers  should  most  enthusiastically  welcome  the  advent 
of  that  illustrious  sage,  who  snatched  the  sword  from  the  hand  of  the 
powerful  to  convert  it  into  a  staff  for  the  protection  of  the  people.  Believe 
me,  for  his  sake,  and  certainly  for  your  own,  I  venerate  the  men  of  types ; 
may  their  "  shadows  never  be  less,"  and  may  their  substance  be  materially 
increased. 

But  to  keep  to  the  record,  Mr.  President.  It  is  here  suggested  to  me, 
what  have  our  Printers  and  Publishers  done  to  elicit  the  literary  talent  of  our 
countrymen  ?  what  can  each  member  of  the  trade  do  to  foster  and  reward 
intellectual  exertion  ?  Sir,  we  have  all  done  much  ;  we  can  all  do  more.  I 
am  the  organ  of  your  sentiments,  sir,  and  those  of  my  brethren  of  the  trade, 
when  I  say  that  we  deem  it  to  be  our  true  interest  liberally  to  extend  to  Amer- 
ican authors — aye,  and  the  Authors  of  every  land — those  solid  and  substantial 
advantages  for  the  want  of  which  in  a  previous  age  so  many  of  the  literary 
men  of  Europe  died  in  penury  and  neglect — men  of  whose  intellectual  labors 
the  Bookseller  and  Printer  will  for  all  time  continue  to  reap  the  rich  reward. 
Mr.  President,  such  is  not  the  estimation  in  which  we  desire  to  hold  the  sons 
of  genius  in  our  day  :  we  are  unwilling  to  leave  their  recompense  to  Prince 
Posterity,  and  his  posthumous  patronage.  And  I  see  from  the  well  filled 
tables  before  me,  that  all  sensible  members  of  our  fraternity  think  with  thy 
sage,  that  the  "  good  things  of  this  world  were  not  intended  for  fools  alone." 
Mr.  President,  it  is  a  well  known  fact,  that  the  Publishers  in  our  principal 
cities  have  justly  and  munificently  appreciated  the  intellect  of  our  land,  and 
her  sons  have  shared  largely  with  the  Booksellers  in  the  profits  derived  from 
their  literary  labors.  The  historical  and  creative  genius  of  one  who  is  not 
inaptly  termed  our  "  Pioneer  of  Mind ;"  the  Commentaries  of  our  American 
Blackstone,  whose  ermine  was  as  pure  as  his  life  was  perfect ;  the 
splendid  sketches  of  our  own  particular  son,  who,  greeted  with  the  incense  of 


48  PEINTEES'     BANQUET. 

foreign  praise,  brought  back  to  us  a  heart  untravelled,  and  a  love  for  home, 
and  whose  genius  has  been  so  recently  illustrated  by  the  combined  taste  of  a 
Putnam  and  a  Darley — together  with  the  works  of  gifted  minds  in  every 
department  of  science,  poetry,  and  fiction — all  attest  the  liberality  and  enter- 
prise of  American  Publishers. 

We  desire  still  farther  to  explore  the  mine  where  mental  ore  lies  buried, 
to  awaken  slumbering  genius,  and  to  call  into  active  energy  the  dormant 
faculties  and  shrinking  talent  of  our  young  and  much  loved  land.  Why 
sleeps  the  muse  of  Drake's  twin-brother  bard  ?  Why  comes  not  he  forth 
with  fairy  wand  to  silence  the  scribblers  of  the  day?  Who  among  us 
would  not  esteem  it  a  high  honor  to  be  his  publisher,  and  to  issue  his 
beautiful  creations  in  a  guise  as  beautiful  as  the  taste  of  our  best  artisans 
can  exhibit  ?     But  we  dare  not  presume, — the  world  impatient  waits. 

Mr.  President,  when  we  survey  the  geographical  position  of  these 
United  States — when  we  see  our  vast  country  bounded  by  no  diversity  of 
dialect,  but  all  its  borders  teeming  with  a  reading  community  —  we  discover 
a  wide  field  for  the  transmission  of  our  country's  literature.  No  nation  on 
the  face  of  the  earth  displays  such  peculiar  advantages  for  the  circulation 
and  consumption  of  intellectual  produce  ;  the  literature  of  Great  Britain  must 
cross  the  broad  Atlantic  ere  it  finds  a  language  like  its  own  ;  on  every  other 
side  of  her  sea-girt  isle  does  she  discover  a  diversity  of  dialect  and  less 
liberal  institutions  ;  but  in  our  land  the  extension  of  one  Anglo-Saxon  tongue, 
from  the  white  hills  of  New  England  to  the  orange  groves  of  Florida,  affords 
to  the  enterprise  of  our  publishers  a  wide  encouragement  to  speed  onward 
the  march  of  mind.  Such  facilities  does  our  land  offer  for  the  conveyance  of 
her  current  literature,  that  a  work  issued  from  the  press  in  New-York,  in 
thirty  days  finds  readers  in  California,  and  the  productions  of  the  brain  are 
received  warm  from  the  artist's  hands  in  every  part  of  our  Union.  We,  then, 
Mr.  President,  Printers,  Publishers,  Booksellers,  Auctioneers,  are  the  honored 
channels  through  which  the  pure  element  of  American  intellect  flows  to  all 
parts  of  our  Republic ;  and  may  that  mighty  engine,  the  American  Press, 
never  transmit  aught  that  may  compromise  our  country's  honor,  or  impair 
American  freedom ;  and  when  I  see  the  earnest  and  intelligent  faces  before 
me,  I  feel  satisfied  that  the  business  which  lias  been  illustrated  by  a  Didot,  a 
Caxton,  and  a  Franklin,  will  never  degenerate.  Allow  me,  Mr.  President 
and  Gentlemen,  to  offer  as  a  sentiment — 

Printing — The  only  Black  Art  which  elevates  man  to  a  superior  order  of 
intelligence,  and  whose  magic  creates  and  destroys  fairy  palaces  of  thought 

IV.  American  Literature. — 

With  the  vigor  «>f  Manhood, 
And  the  freshness  of  Youth, 

"Rs  I  he  offspring  of  Freedom — 

The  champion  of  Truth. 

Mr.  Be5.  I'kku.y  PoORE,  of  the  Boston  I'm'",  responded  to  this  toast,  hut 
the  committee    regret   not  having  been  able  to  obtain   a  full    report    of  his 


TOASTS      AND      RESPONSES.  49 

remarks,  and  can  therefore  give  only  an  imperfect  synopsis  of  them.  He 
said  he  had  not  expected  to  address  the  meeting  ;  he  thought  that  the  paper 
was  about  full.  First  of  all,  we  had  the  President's  Message,  a  very  able 
affair  ;  then  a  leader  from  Mr.  Harrison ;  and  afterwards,  the  Congressional 
report  of  Mr.  Greeley ;  he  thought  there  would  be  nothing  for  him  to  do — 
especially  as  he  was  but  a  Sub,  and  replying  to  a  speech  in  the  room  of  another 
man;  in  fact,  he  could  not  say  that  he  knew  much  about  Ameiican  Liter- 
ature ;  but  if  he  had  not  much  to  say  that  would  instruct  on  the  subject  of  the 
toast,  he  might  be  permitted  to  make  some  observations  that  would,  perhaps, 
more  particularly  interest  the  printers  of  New -York.  Mr.  Poor  then  referred 
to  the  Boston  Printers'  Union,  which  he  said  was  in  a  very  flourishing  condition, 
and  explained  the  late  strike  in  Boston.  It  was  not  true  that  the  journeymen 
had  struck  on  a  sudden.  For  a  whole  year  they  had  endured  the  hardships 
of  low  wages — journeymen  on  weekly  papers  making  but  $6,  and  on  daily 
papers,  for  night  and  day  work,  but  $9  per  week.  The  conduct  of  the 
printers  during  the  late  struggle  was  most  honorable,  and  he  thanked  the 
New-York  printers  for  their  sympathy  with  their  Boston  brethren,  and  con- 
cluded with  the  following  sentiment: 

Journeymen  Printers  and  Employers — The  Craftsmen  and  Patrons  of 
the  olden  time — Like  upper  and  lower-case  letters,  dependent  upon  one 
another. — May  they  be  so  distributed  as  never  to  get  out  of  sorts,  and  then  we 
shall  see  the  forms  of  Printing  always  right. 

"V.    Our    Literary    Institutions. — Founded  by  the  wisdom  of 
our  forefathers,   and   sustained   by    their  children,  may  they   ever 
prove  citadels  of  virtue  and  freedom. 
Music. 

VI.  The  Professions  and  the  Arts. — Indebted  to  the  "  art 
preservative,"  not  only  for  their  growth  and  permanency,  but  also 
for  some  of  the  brightest  names  which  have  adorned  their  ranks. 

The  President  introduced  the  Hon.  Judge  Edmonds,  who  spoke  as 
follows  : 

Mr.  President : — In  replying  to  this  sentiment,  I  trust  that  I  shall  be  held 
acquitted  of  the  presumption  of  appropriating  to  myself  any  more  of  it  than 
so  much  as  acknowledges  the  indebtednesss  of  the  profession  to  which  I 
belong,  for  its  growth  and  permanency,  to  the  u  Art  Preservative ;"  for  of  no 
profession  can  it  be  as  truly  said  that, 

'Tis  to  the  Press  and  Pen  we  surely  owe 
All  that  we  read,  and  nearly  all  we  know. 

But  I  claim  another  reason  for  replying  to  it,  and  that  is  in  behalf  of  the 
art  also,  so  that  I  may  be  on  both  sides  of  the  question.  For,  sir,  having 
spent  a  great  part  of  my  life  in  advocating  only  the  one  side  of  a  question,  I 
have  latterly  had  occasion  to  learn  how  much  easier  and  vastly  more  agree- 
able the  task  of  considering  both  sides,  and  balancing  truly  and  evenly 
between  them.     It  may  be  arrogant,  perhaps,  for  me  to  attempt  to  speak  for 


50  PEINTEES'      BANQUET. 

the  art.  even  though  faintly  ;  but  I  cannot  forbear  to  assert  my  claim  as  a  sort 
of  member  of  the  craft.  For  be  it  known  to  you.  sir,  that  I  have  in  my  day, 
not  merely  been  a  newspaper  editor,  but — marvel  not  at  the  vastness  of  my 
accomplishments  ! — I  have  set  types,  worked  the  press,  made  up  a  form,  and 
justified  my  column;  nay,  performed  all  the  little  jobs  of  a  country  printing 
office,  from  a  horse  handbill  to  a  weekly  sheet — done  all  the  duties  from  the 
devil's  to  the  boss  editor's,  and  in  a  country  office  they  are  not  far  apart ;  and 
learned  the  all-important  lesson  of  following  the  copy,  even  if  it  was  out  of  the 
second-story  window. 

All  the  little  jobs,  did  I  say  ?  Nay,  there  was  one  that  I  never  could 
learn.  I  had  no  alacrity  for  it.  I  could  read  upside  down,  but  I  could 
not  distribute ;  the  confounded  types  would  stick  together — unlike  Winkle's 
gun,  they  wouldn't  go  off.  The  lower-case  would  get  into  the  upper,  and 
e  converso,  until  both  would  get  so  foul  that  the  next  compositor  who  came 
along  would  blast  and  blow  up  sky-high  the  chap  who  had  caused  him  to 
make  such  dirty  work.  Why  this  was,  I  never  could  divine,  unless  it  was 
because  I  was  so  fond  of  seeing  myself  in  print  that  I  could  not  bear  to  see 
the  instruments  of  my  fancied  immortality  scattered  about  in  those  little 
graves,  waiting  for  a  speedy  resurrection  for  somebody  else's  thoughts,  and 
least  of  all,  see  any  of  them,  when  broken  down  in  the  service,  consigned  to 
that  nameless  place,  made  of  an  old  shoe. 

Would  you  believe  it,  sir,  that  this  evening,  contemplating  my  visit  here, 
I  could  not  resist  the  temptation  of  rummaging  over  my  library  until  I  found 
the  little  seven-by-nine — small  then,  but  grown  to  right  noble  manhood  since 
— which,  twenty-five  years  ago,  bore  my  name  on  its  imprint  ?  May  I  go 
further,  and  produce  it  here  ?  I  know  you  will  forgive  the  pride  which 
prompts  me  to  do  so,  and  appreciate  the  feeling  which  has  induced  me, 
under  all  vicissitudes,  to  preserve  it  with  so  much  care.  Well  do  I  remem- 
ber the  pride  with  which,  then  a  mere  lad,  I  first  saw  my  name  in  print  as 
the  Editor  of  a  newspaper ;  well  do  I  recollect  how  important  to  me  were 
the  few  dollars  which  it  weekly  contributed  to  my  support,  and  how  poignant 
the  regret  with  which,  after  conducting  its  columns  for  years,  I  severed  my 
connection  with  it  for  ever. 

I  see  you  smile  as  you  turn  its  pages  over.  Yes.  you  will  see  th  ire,  on 
the  same  broadside,  what  a  Caleb  Quotem  I  was;  Lawyer.  Editor,  Pension 
Agent,  and  Colonel  in  the  Militia.  But  never  mind,  1  am  neither  now. 
1  hough  I  cannot  readily  forget  what  I  once  was,  and  trust  in  God  I  never 
may. 

Sir,  all  this  talk  about  myself,  ungraceful  though  it  may  be,  is  not  alter 
all,  unmitigated  egotism.  For  while  1  acknowledge  the  extent  of  the  obliga- 
tion of  my  profession  to  the  printer's  art — for  without  it  how  poorly  should  I  be 
qualified  lor  the  station  I  now  till,  and  how  completely  would  the  result  of  my 

present  toils  he  written  in  water — this  recurrence  to  the   past   enables   me  to 
admit  my  personal  deht.  to  the  art.     This  connection  of  mine  with  the  Press 


TOASTS      A^D      RESPONSES.  51 

taught  me  the  knowledge  of  language  and  the  art  of  composition,  now  of  in- 
finite value  to  me.  It  taught  me  the  lesson  of  self-control,  for  soon  I  learned 
how  dangerous  it  was  to  put  pen  to  paper  in  a  passion.  It  taught  me  to  make 
allowance  for  the  errors  of  the  Press,  so  that  I  can  now  look  on  with  some 
fortitude,  and  see  myself  almost  daily  made  to  talk  and  perpetrate  more 
nonsense  than  would  swamp  fifty  Solomons.  It  taught  me  the  primary  lesson 
of  thinking  before  all  the  world,  with  the  heart  wide  open  to  every  view — 
a  lesson  which  I  have  since  had  so  much  occasion  to  perfect  and  to  practise. 

The  wise  man  doth  preach  to  us  all, 

To  despise  not  the  value  of  things  that  be  small. 

For  I  have  seen  a  little  thing,  with  a  nick  or  two  on  it,  which  you  could 
toss  from  you  like  a  feather  on  the  breeze,  nevertheless  have  power  to  shake 
thrones  to  their  very  foundations,  and  to  pluck  up  the  rights  of  man  by  their 
drowned  locks,  from  the  deepest  sea  of  oppression  ;  and  I  have  seen  how 
among  ourselves  it  has  been  an  instrument  of  freedom  and  self-government, 
for  it  has  enabled  us,  young  though  we  are  in  years,  yet  vast  in  resources, 
without  interrupting  our  ordinary  avocations,  with  no  want  within  our  borders 
and  the  sound  of  War  reaching  us  only  as  its  echo  came  from  foreign  lands,  to 
conquer  by  our  valor  one  nation  into  submission,  at  the  same  time  that  we 
were  by  our  charity  saving  another  from  starvation. 

Let  us  not,  then,  amid  our  festivities,  forget  the  instrument  thus  mighty 
to  conquer,  thus  powerful  to  save,  but  pledge  me,  Mr.  President  and  Gen- 
tlemen, while  I  give  you 

The  Type. — At  once  the  emblem  and  the  instrument  of  our  freedom. 

VII.  The  Press. — The  Motive  Power  of  Mind,  by  which  it 
moves  the  world :  without  it  genius  would  be  as  impotent  as  the 
engine  without  steam. 

In  response  to  this  Toast,  Mr.  C.  D.  Stuart,  of  the  New-York  Sun, 
spoke  as  follows : 

Mr.  President: — This  sentiment  is  truthful.  The  Printing  Press,  with 
all  its  appliances  and  agencies,  is  the  most  potent  engine  for  the  diffusion 
of  thought  ever  invented  by  man.  Especially  so,  in  an  age  like  this,  when 
ideas,,  through  the  intelligence  of  the  people,  are  stronger  than  cannon  or 
bayonets.  The  press,  or  the  human  mind  through  the  press,  is  the  greatest 
of  conquerors.  The  greatest,  because  its  conquests  are  universal  and  per- 
manent. The  noblest,  too,  because  its  weapons  are  free  thoughts,  making 
war  only  upon  error  and  wrong. 

Knowledge  is  power,  and  education  a  cheap  defence  of  nations.  The 
printing  press,  more  than  all  other  arts  and  circumstances,  has,  within  two 
centuries  past,  given  the  masses  of  mankind  knowledge,  and  hedged  them 
round  with  educational  defences.  But  for  this  press,  arts,  sciences,  com- 
merce, and  social  and  religious  progress,  would  have  remained  amid  the 
gloom  in  which  the  art  of  printing  found  them.     The  potency  of  the  press 


52  pein tees'    banquet. 

can  only  be  appreciated  through  a  close  examination  of  its  statistics.  To  know 
its  power,  we  must  see  what  it  has  done.  We  must  learn  how  it  has  revo- 
lutionized castes,  creeds,  principalities,  and  powers  ;  how  it  has  dissipated 
superstitions,  courtly  and  priestly  juggleries,  and  chased  the  most  venerable 
errors  into  night  and  darkness.  When  the  press  appeared  in  its  first  rude 
form,  the  earth  was  filled  with  feudal  despotism.  The  few  were  hierarchs, 
kings,  and  lords  ;  the  many  were  serfs  and  slaves.  Authority,  in  State  and 
Church,  whatever  its  excesses,  was  unquestioned  by  the  multitude.  It  was 
received  as  divinely  appointed.  Knowledge,  or  the  wisdom  of  science,  art,  and 
philosophy,  sat  veiled  in  the  cloister.  The  people  knew  it  not ;  to  them  it 
was  a  mystery. 

Less  than  two  hundred  and  fifty  years  ago  the  first  newspaper,  or  bulletin 
rather,  appeared  in  the  English  tongue.  It  was  issued  by  Elizabeth  of  Eng- 
land, to  rouse  her  people  to  resist  the  Spanish  Armada.  Books  had  been 
printed  long  before,  but  the  press,  as  a  revolutionize^  has  done  its  greatest 
work  with  newspapers.  Newspapers  are  the  tracts  for  the  people,  possessing 
a  present  influence  which  can  never  with  the  masses  belong  to  books.  News- 
papers, and  not  books,  form  and  guide  public  opinion,  beat  down  fortresses,  and 
unseat  despotisms.  Interposing  between  the  people  and  the  follies  and  vices 
of  society,  the  errors  of  legislation  and  the  tyranny  of  government,  they  are 
in  this  age  the  great  reformers.  But  England  did  not  originate  the  idea  of  a 
newspaper.  That  idea  belongs  to  Italy — to  Venice.  What  have  two  hundred 
and  fifty  years  done  for  the  conquering  newspaper  press  ?  To-day,  there  are 
close  upon  five  thousand  weekly  and  daily  (about  five  hundred  daily)  news- 
papers published  in  the  world.  Full  half  of  them  are  in  this  hemisphere — in 
this  new  world,  mostly  in  the  United  States.  The  manuscript  knowledge  of  the 
age  anterior  to  printing,  was  accessible  to  a  few  thousands  ;  the  newspapers  of 
to-day,  containing  from  time  to  time  all  the  wisdom  of  books — all  useful  know- 
ledge— are  read  daily  or  weekly,  by  two  hundred  millions  of  people.  Nearly 
the  whole  civilized  world  are  newspaper  readers.  The  newspaper  is  published 
in  Asia,  Africa,  Europe,  and  the  Americas.  It  is  read  at  the  Equator  and 
the  Poles.  And  to  the  mass  who  read  it,  it  is  the  six  days'  gospel  of  the 
week,  wielding  a  power  where  books  are  powerless. 

Surely,  the  world  is  moved  by  the  human  mind,  through  the  press.  The 
press  is  the  fulcrum  on  which  the  lever  of  the  conqueror,  thought,  rests  ;  and 
where  is  the  weight  of  error  or  wrong  it  has  not  shaken,  and  cannot  over- 
turn? It  has  palsied  the  great  hieiarch.  It  has  shivered  the  thrones  of 
Cesar  anil  Charlemagne.  The  newspaper  hurled  the  bolts  which,  in  our 
day,  have  shaken  the  political  and  social  world.  Milton  felt  the  value  of  the 
press  when  he  plead  foi  and  ;  aved  its  freedom  in  England  ;  and.  thank  God, 
wherever  the  English  tongue  is  spoken,  the  press  is  untrammelled,  save  bj 
the  judgment  of  intelligent  people.  The  newspaper  press  of  Anglo-Sazondom 
is  free — free  as  the  air  of  heaven,  to  speak  for  truth  and  virtue.  And  for 
truth  and  virtue  and  freedom  it  must  speak,  or  it  cannot  live. 

The   pros   moves  the  world,  by  interfusing  the   knowledge  and  idfi 


ofod'W& 


^{Z^yi^cx^/ \ 


TOASTS      AND      EESPONSES.  53 

mankind ;  by  making  knowledge  so  cheap  that  the  poorest  can  drink  of  it 
to  their  fill ;  by  giving  voice  to  their  yearnings,  their  fears,  their  hopes,  their 
rights ;  by  teaching  them  that  nothing  is  divine  that  destroys  the  peace  and 
happiness  of  man.  O  how  the  press  has  J&ng  out  these  lessons  in  the 
nineteenth  century !  Mark  what  a  single  press,  with  all  its  appliances  of 
type,  ink,  paper,  ideas,  hand-labor,  steam,  and  lightning,  can  do.  Take  that 
wonderful  invention  of  Hoe's,  on  which  the  New-York  Sun  is  printed.  In 
five  hours  it  throws  off  more  sheets  than  could  be  written  over  by  hand  by 
600.000  rapid  writers  in  the  same  space  of  time.  One  of  these  sheets,  which 
written  over  by  hand  would  employ  twelve  men  and  cost  for  the  mere  writing 
more  than  twelve  dollars,  is  sold  for  one  cent.  An  edition  of  the  Sun  is  daily 
read  by  a  quarter  of  a  million  of  people,  giving  them  knowledge  of  all  trans- 
piring events  and  wisdoms.  Blot  thai  press  from  existence  ;  blot  out  the 
art  of  printing,  and  these  quarter  of  a  million — nay,  200,000,000 — souls  would 
be  left  in  mental  darkness.  Not  one  in  thousands  of  that  vast  multitude  could 
or  would  seek  knowledge,  now  given  them  for  a  penny,  if  it  were  left  to  hand- 
labor  to  furnish  it.  The  expense  would  preclude  the  possibility  of  a  general 
diffusion  of  knowledge.  Here  rests  the  glory  of  the  press.  Diffusing 
universally,  it  has  so  cheapened  knowledge,  that  no  man  is  too  poor  to  be 
rich  in  it.  And  what  art  or  vocation  does  it  not  stimulate  ?  Printing,  then, 
is  the  mightiest  of  arts,  and  the  Printing  Press  the  noblest  of  inventions. 

VIII.  Newspapers. — The  great  focal  centres  of  thought,  reflect- 
ing and  refracting  the  rays  of  light ;  they  are  bows  of  promise  to 
the  world  that  it  shall  never  again  be  sunk  in  darkness. 

The  Quartette  Club,  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Camp,  here  sung  a  glee 
in  excellent  style. 

IX.  Or;p>,  Guests — Good  copies  by  which  to  be  guided  and 
justified  :  may  the  letter-links  which  connect  us  never  be  broken. 

This  was  responded  to  by  Dr.  Francis,  as  follows  : 

Gentlemen  of  the  New-York  Typographical  Society: — I  address  you  with 
no  little  embarrassment;  your  courtesy,  however,  has  seen  fit  to  select  me  as 
the  medium  through  which  to  return  the  thanks  of  our  assembled  guests,  and 
I  cannot,  prove  indifferent  to  that  generous  impulse  which  has  led  your 
Association  to  invite  as  oo-operators  in  your  Anniversary  Celebration,  so  large 
and  influential  a  body  of  distinguished  men,  from  almost  every  section  of  the 
Union,  deeply  enlisted  in  the  noble  cause  you  labor  to  advance;  the  multi- 
plied interests  of  the  typographic  art,  of  literature  and  literary  men,  and  of 
humanity,  in  its  broadest  acceptation.  Yet  would  I  that  some  one  of  the  culti- 
vated masters  of  intellectual  display  had  been  chosen,  the  better  to  do  honor  to 
the  occasion,  and  to  utter  the  expressions  of  our  cordial  consideration  for  the 
gratifying  privilege  which  we  this  evening  have  enjoyed,  in  being  participators 
at  that  banquet  of  mental  and  dietetic  luxury,  so  abundantly  furnished  this 
memorable    night.       Indeed,  when   I    cast   my   eyes  around  amid  so  many 


54  PEINTEES'     BANQUET. 

efficient  individuals  who  have  glorified  the  great  Art  of  printing  by  their  re- 
spective displays  in  mechanical  invention,  by  the  literary  issues  of  their  brain, 
by  their  liberality  in  the  promotion  of  knowledge,  and  their  patronage  of 
American  intellect;  I  fear  that  I  shall  be  wanting  in  warmth  of  expression 
adequate  to  the  gratitude  we  all  feel  in  the  summons  that  has  occasioned  this 
assemblage.  Thus  much  I  feel  persuaded,  that  I  announce  the  truth  when  I 
tell  you  that  I  give  the  sentiments  of  your  invited  guests  in  affirming,  that 
they  cherish  a  love  of  the  Art  to  which  you  are  devoted,  by  a  due  apprecia- 
tion of  its  vast  importance ;  that  they,  for  countless  reasons,  wish  that 
health  and  prosperity  may  wait  upon  the  disciples  of  your  conservative 
pursuit,  and  that  the  triumphs  of  the  New-York  Typographical  Society  may 
equal  the  excellence  and  beneficence  of  its  disinterested  and  benevolent 
designs.  One  and  all  offer  this  oblation  on  the  altar  of  that  laudable  institu- 
tion which  bears  on  its  standard  the  effigy  of  Franklin,  and  which  holds  in 
such  admiration  his  glorious  character. 

I  cannot  permit  this  occasion  to  pass  by,  without  an  intimation  of  the  deep 
sense  I  feel  for  the  special  favor  you  have  voluntarily  tendered  me,  by  my 
recent  election  as  a  member  of  your  body.  The  honor  was  unexpected,  and 
is  the  more  highly  estimated,  when  I  reflect  upon  the  individual  merits  of  your 
fraternity.  The  distinction  is  flattering  to  the  character  the  Typographical 
Society  has  formed  of  the  earlier  portion  of  my  life,  and  I  think  speaks  rather 
well  of  a  long  career  of  laborious  services  in  my  professional  vocation :  at 
least,  such  I  appreciate  it. 

In  earl^*life  I  became  enamored  of  the  character  of  Franklin ;  my  parents 
had  taught  me  to  venerate  his  name  ;  and  when  a  boy  of  about  ten  years  old, 
the  perusal  of  his  autobiography  led  me  to  a  love  of  letters,  to  a  study  of  his 
maxims,  and  finally  to  engage  mechanically  in  a  practical  knowledge  of 
the  art  of  printing.  I  remember  well  my  setting  up  the  "  Lay  of  the  Last 
Minstrel,"  in  1804,  the  first  of  any  of  Scott's  Works  reprinted  in  America. 
It  appeared  in  Longworth's  "  Bellcs-Lcttres  Repository;"  and  as  if  coming 
events  cast  their  shadows  before,  in  the  spring  and  summer  of  1805,  I  put  in 
type  nearly  every  word  of  Cullcn's  "First  Lines  of  the  Practice  of  Physic.'' 
This  edition  was  printed  by  Lewis  Nichols,  and  published  by  Evert  Duyckinck- 
an  intelligent  and  honest  bookseller  of  this  city,  whose  Knickerbocker  in- 
tegrity, and  knowledge  of  good  books,  were  universally  appreciated.  Some 
ten  years  after,  I  had  often  recourse  to  my  Edition  of  (  ullon  to  aid  me  in  my 
Lectures  on  the  Materia  fcfedica,  and  on  the  Institutes  <>i  Medicine,  delivered 
in  the  University  of  the  State  of  New-York.  You  will  excuse  this  digression, 
by  way  of  parenthesis. 

I  know  the  craft  to  be  enthusiastic  for  the  glory  of  Franklin.  It  cannot 
be  otherwise:  he  has  stamped  it  with  the  impress  of  his  mighty  name,  and  his 
career  of  life  is  associated  with  ihe  highest  trophies  of  his  country's  renew  n, 

in  her  conflicts  for  freedom,  in  her  deliberations  on  constitutional  government, 

in  her  unparalleled  march  in  knowledge,  in  her  social  characteristics,  and  in 
her   national  greatness.      His   labors,  more  than   those  of  any   other   patriot, 


TOASTS      AND      RESPONSES.  55 

demonstrate  how  much  one  life  may  accomplish  in  many  pursuits :  his  undi- 
vided vigor  in  whatever  he  undertook,  gave  him  this  supremacy.  His  political 
sagacity  assigns  him  a  place  with  the  first  of  statesmen ;  his  philosophical  dis- 
coveries give  him  a  station  in  the  front  rank  of  original  genius,  and  have  be- 
queathed to  mankind  the  materials  for  effecting  results  greater  and  more  bene- 
ficial to  the  human  race,  than  can  be  found  associated  with  any  other  individual 
among  the  class  of  mortals.  In  whatever  light  we  contemplate  our  Franklin, 
we  cannot  but  be  lost  in  admiration  of  his  varied  knowledge  of  matter  and  of 
mind :  his  own  dexterous  faculties  were  his  schoolmaster.  Unaided  by  any 
instructor,  he  accumulated  knowledge  for  the  guidance  of  man  in  the  hum- 
blest details  of  practical  life ;  from  the  cogitations  of  his  own  mind  he  un- 
folded the  stores  of  wisdom,  which  have  yielded  new  treasures  and  new  rea- 
sonings to  enlarge  the  science  of  both  worlds. 

There  is  another  peculiarity  which  signalizes  Franklin.  Philosophy  is 
our  instructor  in  the  matter.  Ponder  over  the  origin  and  progress  of  human 
knowledge.  How  hard,  if  not  impracticable,  is  it  often  to  determine  who  in 
the  history  of  science  was  the  original  discoverer  of  principles  now  admitted 
to  be  of  the  surest  application,  and  incontrovertible  in  their  laws  !  How 
perplexed  on  some  occasions  [we  become,  when  striving  to  determine  who 
was  the  actual  inventor  of  problems  now  universally  recognized  as  data  from 
which  legitimate  science  draws  for  aid  !  What  fierce  contentions  have  at 
times  sprung  up  on  conflicting  statements  of  this  character,  even  among  men 
of  the  richest  culture,  and  most  courteous  bearing  one  towards  another ! 
Examples  to  this  effect  may  be  found  in  all  departments  of  inquiry^  How  have 
the  mathematicians  settled  the  special  services  of  Newton  and  of  Leibnitz  ? 
How  acrimonious  the  medical  discussion  touching  the  claims  of  Servetus 
and  of  Harvey  !  How  numerous  have  been  the  disquisitions  held,  how  many 
the  volumes  published,  to  deprive  the  illustrious  Swede  of  his  proper  merits 
as  the  expositor  of  the  sexual  system  of  the  vegetable  kingdom  !  What 
conflicts  among  the  chemists  has  the  gaseous  philosophy  created,  as  evinced 
in  their  endeavors  to  settle  the  merits  of  priority  of  discovery  !  And  even  in 
our  own  day,  we  have  seen  how  sadly  has  fared  that  great  benefactor,  Fulton, 
by  claimants,  some  of  whom,  if  not  able  to  deprive  him  of  his  glory,  have 
determined  that  at  least  his  country  shall  not  boast  of  him  as  their  own,  and. 
with  a  peculiar  felicity,  assign  him  a  foreign  birth,  perchance  amidst  the  high 
mountains  in  Wales  !  Our  Franklin  stands  unmolested  by  all  difficulties  and 
annoyances  of  this  nature.  No  pretended  rival  dare  approach  him  in  order  to 
detract  from  his  merits,  or  usurp  his  renown.  The  few  miserable  attempts 
designed  to  disturb  the  simplicity  and  harmony  of  his  grand  Electrical  Doc- 
trines, proceeded  from  sciolists  and  the  pensioners  of  royal  bounty,  and  are 
not  worthy  to  be  dwelt  upon.  But  as  one  of  our  own  poets  has  impressively 
declared. 

"  Truth  crushed  to  earth,  will  rise  again, 
The  elernal  years  of  God  are  hers  ;" 


56  printers'    banquet. 

and  the  laws  of  the  Omnipotent,  even  when  intelligently  proclaimed  by  one 
of  his  creatures,  will  be  found  inexorable,  notwithstanding  the  little  faith  that 
the  minions  of  despotism  may  choose  to  place  in  a  republican  philosopher. 
Signally  were  Franklin's  principles,  drawn  so  directly  from  nature,  vindicated 
in  this  instance.  The  blunted  rod  on  the  monument  reared  by  national  pride 
to  patriotic  merit,  (I  allude  to  the  pillar  in  honor  of  Nelson,  erected  on  Calton 
Hill.)  fit  type  of  a  mean  prejudice,  accumulated  the  lightning  which  our  sage 
had  demonstrated  escaped  from  the  pointed  conductor,  and  shivered  the 
imperial  trophy.  Thus  Nature  avenged,  with  the  artillery  of  her  own  domain, 
disobedience  to  her  own  laws.  Where  more  significantly  than  in  this  occur- 
rence, shall  we  find  a  stronger  demonstration  of  the  mighty  truth,  that  God  is 
his  own  interpreter  ? 

However  profitable  it  might  be  to  dwell  longer  on  the  character  of 
Franklin — whose  early  toils  are  inseparably  identified  in  all  future  times  with 
the  typographic  art,  as  his  original  genius  is  connected  with  the  lightnings 
of  heaven — and  give  expression  to  our  estimate  of  his  sagacity,  his  indomi- 
table industry,  his  inflexible  integrity,  both  in  private  and  in  public  affairs,  the 
occasion  allows  us  only  to  add,  that  those  faculties  which  gave  to  his  labors 
a  practical  adaptation  to  the  most  diversified  undertakings,  were  further 
enriched  by  a  sweetness  of  temper,  a  charity  of  feeling,  a  tolerance  of 
opinion,  and  a  superiority  to  envy,  unsurpassed  in  the  history  of  men ;  as  if 
nature  had  been  solicitous  to  unite  in  one  being  the  choicest  gifts,  which 
she  has,  for  the  wisest  ends,  scattered  only  promiscuously  among  mankind. 
Well,  indeed?  has  he  been  pronounced  by  the  eminent,  the  most  rational  of 
philosophers,  the  kindest  and  most  benevolent  of  men. 

I  will  trespass  but  a  moment  longer  on  your  patience.  Fellow-members, 
you  have  done  an  act  of  justice  only  in  associating  so  intimately  the  name  of 
Franklin  with  the  New-York  Typographical  Society.  Every  body  knows  that 
the  great  philosopher  made  his  first  appearance  on  this  habitable  globe  in 
Boston  ;  no  one  is  ignorant  that  much  of  his  long  life  is  associated  with 
Philadelphia.  The  house  in  which  he  first  drew  breath  still  stands,  1  believe, 
in  its  original  place;  his  mortal  remains  still  consecrate  the  city  of  his  adop- 
tion. I  never  visit  Philadelphia  that  I  do  not  visit  his  venerated  tomb.  But 
Franklin  is  also  closely  connected  with  New- York,  by  his  repeated  sojourns 
here,  by  his  philosophical  discoveries  made  hero,  and  by  his  delectable  com- 
panion, hip  with  prominent  individuals  among  us.  Here,  with  Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor (olden  ;  with  John  Slovens,  so  early  engaged  in  railway  experiments; 
with  Hard,  the  physician;  with  James  Alexander ;  with  Smith,  the  historian, 
he  passed  pleasing  hours,  and  held  occasional  interviews  of  a  social  and 
scientific  nature.  But  wherever  he  was.  in  whatever  society,  an  intellectual 
atmosphere  was  imparted  by  him:  he  alight  discourse  concerning  the  elec- 
trical eel  with  Williamson,  the  sturdy  disputant  on  Colonial  affairs,  con- 
verse with  John  Hart  ram  on  the  sublimity  of  American  forest  scenery  ;  blow 
soap  bubbles  with  Ingen/oiis/.  on  the  banks  of  the  river  Thames  J  grace  the 
soirees  of  Sir  John  Prinffle  in  London,  with   Cook  and    Banks,  on  the  eve  of 


TOASTS      AND      RESPONSES.  57 

voyages  round  the  world  ;  discuss  the  nature  of  the  vital  principle  with 
Hewson,  the  anatomist ;  inspire  with  new  hopes  the  destitute  traveller, 
Capt.  Jonathan  Carver,  in  some  secret  lodging-place  in  London  :  on  whatever 
topics  he  spoke,  intelligence  flowed  from  his  lips  ;  his  hearers'  eyes  brightened 
with  expectancy,  and  their  hearts  improved.  A  cultivated  head  is  a  perpetual 
workshop,  at  the  command  of  its  possessor;  and  this  principle  he  never  lost 
sight  of  in  whatever  country  he  was  found,  or  in  whatever  capacity  he 
appeared.  Talleyrand,  who,  like  Ulysses,  had  visited  many  cities,  said  that 
the  greatest  sight  he  had  ever  beheld  was  Hamilton  walking  through 
Broadway  to  the  court-room,  with  his  pile  of  law  authorities  under  his  arm : 
it  must  have  been  a  no  less  gratifying  spectacle  to  behold  our  Franklin 
among  the  busy  haunts  of  men,  moving  with  republican  simplicity  amid  the 
scenes  of  humble  industry. 

In  New- York,  with  Colden,  I  believe,  he  projected  the  foundation  of  the 
Association,  now  best  known  as  the  American  Philosophical  Society  of 
Philadelphia,  for  promoting  Useful  Knowledge.  In  some  observations  which 
I  made  at  the  Literary  Dinner,  given  in  New- York  to  Authors  and  Book- 
sellers, now  some  fifteen  years  ago,  I  stated  that  I  thought  the  honor  of 
the  stereotype  invention  belonged  to  this  city,  because  the  new  method  of 
'printing  suggested  by  Colden,  in  his  letter  to  Franklin,  is  very  likely  the 
same  as  that  practised  by  M.  Herhan  of  Paris,  under  letters  patent  of 
Napoleon.  Colden's  details  of  his  plan  wore  addressed  to  Dr.  Franklin  in  a 
communication  written  a  century  ago.  Franklin  was  delighted  with  the 
feasibility  of  the  invention,  and  when  he  went  to  France  submitted  it  to 
Didot,  the  printer  and  type-founder  at  Paris.  Herhan,  a  German,  who  had 
been  an  assistant  of  Didot,  but  now  separated  from  him,  took  it  up  in  oppo- 
sition to  Didot.  It  is  affirmed,  on  good  authority,  that  Herhan's  method  of 
stereotyping  is  precisely  similar  to  that  which  Colden  invented.  Thus  Didot 
and  Herhan  appear  conclusively  to  have  derived  from  America — from 
New-York  may  I  be  permitted  to  say — that  celebrity  in  this  art  which  they 
enjoyed  in  France.*  Notwithstanding  the  remote  period  at  which  the  project 
of  stereotyping  was  suggested  in  this  city,  the  first  demonstration  of  the  art 
was  not  made  until  1813,  when  John  Watts  stereotyped  and  printed  a  copy 
of  the  Larger  Catechism  in  12mo.  In  June,  1815,  the  Bruces,  of  New-York, 
stereotyped  and  printed  the  Bible,  12mo. 

In  my  examination  of  the  extensive  manuscript  correspondence  of  Colden, 
made  many  years  ago,  I  found  that  Franklin,  while  in  New-York,  was  sadly 
in  want  of  apparatus  to  prosecute  his  experiments  on  electricity.  He  could 
find  no  competent  artisan  to  execute  his  orders,  and  with  that  energy  and 
perseverance  which  were  peculiarly  his  own,  he  set  about  the  work  himself, 
and  completed  an  electrical  machine  that  effectively  served  his  purposes. 
Some  of  his  most  valuable  principles  in  his  great  science  were  \erified  by 
this  machine  of  his  own  making  ;  and  has  Observatory  was  the  steeple  of  the 

*  Tii<-  < lorretpendence  on  this  subject  may  he  seen  in  the  American  Medical  and  Philosophical 
Register,  vol.  i.     181J. 


58  printers'    banquet. 

then  New  Dutch  Reformed  Church,  now  occupied  as  the  Post  Office  in  this 
city.  There  are  letters  of  his  to  his  old  and  valued  friend,  Peter  Colliuson. 
of  London,  and  others,  that  contain  some  of  the  results  of  his  inquiries  made 
under  these  circumstances.  Had  I  been  aware  in  season  that  my  friend 
Morse  was  engaged  in  his  Magnetic  Telegraph  experiments  in  New-York,  I 
would  have  urged  him  to  have  taken  the  old  steeple  for  the  purpose.  Is  it 
not,  however,  beautifully  appropriate  to  the  genius  of  our  country  that, 
although  she  boasts  no  antiquated  tower,  such  as  that  hallowed  in  Tuscany 
by  the  memory  of  Galileo's  vigils,  yet  that  the  humble  spire  reared  by  the 
brave  exiles  for  religious  liberty,  witnessed  also  the  early  triumphs  of  Ameri- 
can science  ;  and  that  the  same  quaint  edifice  is  the  memorial  both  of  the 
truths  of  religion  and  of  the  truths  of  nature,  equally  derived  from  God. 
though  so  often  ignorantly  divided  ?  But  though  the  inventor  of  the 
electrical  telegraph  elsewhere  proved  the  availability  of  his  theory,  let  us 
here  and  now.  on  this  occasion,  sacred  to  the  memory  of  native  genius  and 
to  human  progress,  blend  their  honored  names  in  an  electric  chain  of  sym- 
pathetic homage.        In  conclusion,  gentlemen,  I  offer  you  a  toast : 

Electricity. — The  Mercury  of  the  Elements,  whose  rapid  movement 
and  infinite  adaptation  arc  typical  of  American  genius  ;  Franklin  brought  him 
from  Heaven,  and  Morse  taught  him  to  carry  the  messages  of  Earth. 

X.  Woman. — Civilization  has  exalted  her  from  a  slave,  to  reign 
as  a  queen  over  the  heart  and  fortunes  of  man. 

Mr.  Wm.  Olaxd  Bourne,  being  called  upon,  said  : 

Mr.  President : — In  responding  to  the  sentiment  just  proposed,  I  shall 
be  very  brief.  I  truly  love  Woman ;  but  I  love  the  Printer's  Art  more  than 
woman  ;  not  that  I  love  woman  the  less,  but  the  great  and  noble  art  the 
more,  because  it  has  made  woman  what  we  find  her  here  in  our  midst 
this  evening,  and  throughout  the  civilized  world.  The  Press  has  been 
woman's  best  friend.  It  has  raised  her  from  the  depths  of  heathen  degrada- 
tion, and  placed  her  side  by  side  in  intellect,  in  morals,  in  knowledge,  with 
the  i:  lords  of  creation,"  and  is  preparing  the  way  for  that  perfect  equality  of 
mental  and  social  condition  to  which  she  is  entitled  by  her  innate  powers  of 
perception,  her  gentleness,  her  goodness.  Well  may  we  dispense  with  wine, 
when  we  can  substitute  woman  to  enliven  and  cheer  our  festivities.  We 
have  only  to  contrast  the  present  condition  of  woman  in  the  barbarous 
and  savage  state  with  what  wo  find  it  among  ourselves,  to  perceive  what 
the  Press  has  done,  and  can  do,  for  woman,  when  made  the  handmaid 
of  religion  and  virtue.  To  the  press  woman  owes  an  abiding  obligation  of 
intense  love  and  veneration.  Again,  Mr.  President,  1  say,  1  love  woman,  but 
I  love  the  Press  more,  for  its  noble  achievement  in  making  her  what  she  is. 

In  concluding,  permit  me  to  offer  the  following  sentiment : 

Tm:    Rawsias    Prwtebs  Of  .I'm.   13,   1849.— Although  laboring  and 

Contending  against  the  despotism  of  antiquated  CUStom,  may  they  yet  loaru 
that,  moral  and  constitutional    Liberty  arc  as  inseparable  In  theory  as  they  are 

glorious  in  exercise. 


TOASTS      AXD      RESPONSES.  59 

The  Quartette  Club  here  sung  another  glee. 

XI.  Commerce  and  the  Press. — Co-laborers  in  the  civilization 
of  the  world.  The  one  bears  the  products  of  art  and  skill,  the 
other  spreads  the  light  of  genius  and  the  wisdom  of  philosophy,  to 
the  remotest  parts  of  the  globe. 

Mr.  George  Peckham  responded  : 

Mr.  President : — Tn  reply  to  the  sentiment  which  you  have  just  offered, 
permit  me  to  say,  that  while  the  Press  has  been  the  means  of  arousing  the 
mass  of  mankind  to  a  knowledge  of  their  rights,  their  dignity,  and  their 
power,  the  Merchant  also  has  contributed  a  powerful  aid  to  the  cause  of 
human  rights  and  human  freedom. 

Sir,  of  all  the  interests  that  build  up,  or  assist  in  building  up,  a  nation's 
power  and  glory,  there  is  none  so  extensive,  none  having  so  direct  a  bearing 
upon  its  welfare  and  prosperity,  as  the  mercantile  interest.  No  interest 
deserves  so  much,  nor  should  receive  more,  of  the  fostering  care  of  govern- 
ment. Sir,  the  memory  of  the  Phoenician  Merchants  will  never  fade  away. 
Although  their  empire  has  gone  down  among  the  dust  and  darkness  of  ages, 
and  the  memorials  of  their  power  and  their  splendor  wasted  by  decay's  effac- 
ing finger,  yet  they  still  live — live  in  the  record  of  their  daring  excursions  in 
the  distant  sea  and  on  the  distant  shore,  and  in  the  indelible  impress 
which  they  left  upon  the  nations,  in  their  traffic  and  trade  all  over  the  world. 
Every  where  succeeding  generations  have  marked  the  trace  of  their  foot- 
steps, and  have  developed  indubitable  evidences  of  their  vast  power  and 
dominion.  Their  wealth  and  their  taste  adorned  the  magnificent  cities, 
whose  splendid  ruins  amid  deserts  have  excited  the  curiosity  and  the  admi- 
ration of  succeeding  ages.  And  such,  sir,  has  been  the  character  of  the 
Merchant,  as  a  class,  through  all  time.  He  is  the  banner-staff  of  civilization  ; 
he  is  the  first  to  venture  in  unknown  seas,  and  with  no  light  to  guide 
him  save  that  of  the  stars,  and  his  own  peculiar  science,  Navigation,  he 
defies  the  storm  and  the  tempest,  the  rock  and  the  shoal,  in  search  of  the 
treasures  that  lie  in  their  depths.  He  is  the  first  to  travel  in  unknown 
lands,  and  reckless  of  health  and  of  life,  he  ransacks  the  forests,  gleaning 
every  production  of  nature  that  contributes  in  the  least  to  the  pleasures  or 
the  necessities  of  man.  Sir,  it  is  to  the  industry,  the  energy,  the  enterprise  of 
the  English  Merchant,  that  England  owes  her  present  greatness  and  glory. 
The  Knights  of  the  Round  Table,  the  mail-clad  warriors  of  the  Edwards 
and  the  Richards,  would  never  have  made  England  wrhat  England  now  is. 
Her  Merchants  have  carried  the  insignia  of  her  power  upon  every  sea  and 
every  shore,  and  crowded  into  her  capital  the  rich  productions  of  every 
clinic.  He  is  the  main  pillar  in  the  immense  fabric  of  British  government. 
Take  him  away,  and  the  glory  of  her  power  will  go  down ;  her  arts  will 
languish  and  decline;  and  the  sciences,  failing  their  support,  will  grow  dim 
and  decay. 

Sir,  I  regret  that  the  lateness  of  the  hour  will  not  allow  me  to  say  half 


60  printers'    banquet. 

what  T  wish  to  say  of  the  character  of  tho  Merchant.  T  feel  it  would  be 
wrong  in  me  to  detain  longer  here  the  youth  and  beauty  I  see  around  me, 
especially  when  I  know  with  what  ardor  and  expectancy  the  heart  of  youth 
is  filled,  when  music  calls%way  to  the  pomp  and  splendor  of  the  gay  saloon. 

Sir.  their  hearts  are  in  the  Ball-room,  and  from  the  anxiety  they  manifest,  I 
judge  they  would  rather  he  wandering  there  themselves. 

XII.  Sister  Societies — With  a  field  as  Large  as  the  wants  and 
sorrows  of  man.  sowing  the  seeds  of  benevolence,  and  nurturing 
them  with  sympathy,  the  fruits  they  gather  are  gratitude  and  love. 


iMmitrrr  tefffe 

By  General  Morris  : 

The  American  Union. — "  What  God  has  joined  together,  let  not  man  put 
asunder." 

A  union  of  Lakes — a  union  of  Lands, 
A  union  of  States  none  may  sever, 
A  union  of  hearts — a  union  of  hands, 
American  Union  for  ever. 

By  Charles  King,  President  of  Columbia  College: 

The  Printer's  Ttpes. — In  the  might  of  which — more  prevailing  than 
that  of  armed  soldiers — Truth,  Right,  and  Freedom.  STAND  invincible. 

By  J.  Fenimore  Cooper,  Esq.  : 

"The  Devil." — A  link  between  the  author  and  the  printer:  may  he 
come  with  queries  well  put,  and  return  with  every  error  corrected. 

By  Prof.  S.  F.  B.  Morse  : 

The  Press. — Its  legitimate  use  to  ex-press  and  im-press,  not  to  sup-pres* 
the  truth,  nor  to  op-press  nor  do-press  an  honest  heart. 

By  Charles  A.  Davis  : 

A  Grand  Monument  to  Franklin. — A  complete  Printing  Establishment, 
owned  cud  worked  by  Journeymen. — Resolved,  That  we  can  have  it.  and  that 
we  will.      Those  in  favor  of  the  resolution,  say  aye. 

By  J.  L.  Jewetl  : 

Social  Reunion — .Mean.;  to  an  end. — A  free  press  and  free  speech  have 
then  accomplished  their  work,  when  conventional  harriers  no  longer  separate 
congenial  minds. 

By  I).  C.  Henderson  : 

CALIFORNIA. — With  all  the  thirst  for  gold  among  her  hardy  pioneers,  we 
find  she  ifl   not   forgetful   Of  the  art    preservative   of  all   arts — "the  mvstic  art 

divine" — in  sending  our  accomplished  brother  typo,  Edward  Gilbert,  to 

Congress,  who  lias  struck  a  rich  lead  in  the  .{//</  California.     May  California, 

with  her  youthful  Bisters,  New  Mexico  and  Deseret,  be  speedily  admitted  into 
the  Union.  Labor  attains  ample  reward  on  the  Pacific  :  lope,  and  Ratting  is 
Bpurned  from  its  Virgin  soil. 


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J.J, 


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TOASTS     AND      EESP0NSE8.  61 

By  D.  H.  Reins : 

The  Constitution  of  the  United  States. — The  most  perfect  form  of 
Government  on  earth,  which,  while  it  guarantees  to  the  citizen  the  full 
enjoyment  of  every  right,  contains  within  itself  the  germ  of  regeneration  from 
abuses  in  every  branch,  through  the  medium  of  the  elective  franchise. 

By  A.  Chandler : 

Sultan  Abdul  Medjld,  Grand  Seignior  of  the  Turkish  Empire. — ■ 
His  example  of  mercy  to  the  Hungarians  does  honor  to  his  head  and  heart. 
Christian  monarchs  might  profit  by  it,  but  "  those  whom  the  gods  have  deter- 
mined to  destroy  they  first  make  mad.v 

By  Gen.  Wright,  of  N.  J. : 

The  Printer's  Stick. — Unlike  the  Irishman's,  which  possesses  the 
peculiar  quality  of  knocking  people  down,  the  printer's  stick  has  helped  to  set 
up  many  great  men,  and  held  them  until  they  were  perfectly  composed.  It 
evades  the  law  against  "  billies,"  as  editors  daily  use  the  ';  stick  of  the  craft" 
for  the  greatest  display  when  it  is  most  heavily  lead-ed. 

By  James  R.  Williams,  of  N.  J.  : 

The  Press,  a  Case  in  Point. — May  the  craft  always  be  impressed  with 
a  high  regard  for  justice,  and  square  their  actions  by  the  Golden  Rule. 

By  Gen.  Wright,  of  N.  J.  : 

The  iron-ic  order  of  communication  by  which  the  race  has  been  fra- 
ternized— invented  by  Professor  Morse.  He  is  entitled  to  every  morse-el  of 
the  honor,  and  no  one  can  presume  to  share  hi.i  glory  without  feelings  of  re- 
morse. 

By  Mr.  Ward  : 

The  Ladies. — Always  favorable  to  a  "  press,"  properly  conducted. 

By  Edwin  Vary  : 

The  best  Route  to  the  Gold  Mines. — Through  the  pages  of  "  Poor 
Richard." 

By  D.  H.  Reins  : 

Education — The  Basis  of  Civilization. — May  it  be  diffused  throughout  the 
world,  until  bigotry  and  superstition  be  banished,  and  civil  and  religious 
liberty  become  the  inherent  birthright  of  every  individual. 

By  Geo.  W.  Moore  : 

Cold  Water. — Its  substitution  for  wine  on  this  occasion  will  prevent  our 
matter  from  getting  off  its  feet. 

By  John  W.  Oliver  : 

Temperance,  Industry,  Fidelity — A  complete  font.  —  Those  who 
justify  their  lives  thereby  will  seldom  get  out  of  sorts  in  this  present  world — 
and  at  the  conclusion,  after  their  forms  have  been  locked  up,  and  they  come  to 
be  revised  by  the  Great  Proof  Reader,  they  will  be  found  correct. 

By  James  A.  Gilbert : 

Ann  Street — The  grand  centre  of  Literature  in  this  Metropolis. — May 
the  works  issued  here,  unlike  the  condition  of  its  pavements,  be  ever  free 
from  filthy  corruption. 


62  PKINTEKS'     BANQUET. 

By  Robert  Bonner : 

The  Persevering  Typo. — Like  Lazarus,  of  Scripture  memory,  he  is  fre- 
quently frowned  on  by  the  "  noblemen"  of  the  Press,  while  picking  up 
"  crumbs"  of  knowledge  at  their  feet ;  but,  notwithstanding,  he  seldom  fails  to 
reach  the  "  bosom"  of  prosperity,  where  he  can  be  viewed  "  afar  off"  by  his 
former  fancied  superiors. 

By  Charles  AlcDevitt : 

The  New-York  Typographical  Society  and  the  New-York  Typo- 
graphical Union. — The  object  of  the  one  is  to  elevate  the  moral  and  intellec- 
tual character  of  the  Trade,  that  of  the  other  to  obtain  the  quid  pro  quo  for 
their  labor. — Like  the  twin  sisters,  Faith  and  Hope,  they  are  always  attended 
by  Charity. 

By  C.  C.  Savage  : 

The  History  of  America. — Written  with  the  pen  of  knowledge,  printed 
in  the  indelible  color  of  truth,  illustrated  by  experience,  bound  in  love  and 
faith,  stamped  with  the  shield  of  Liberty,  it  is  published  for  the  benefit  of  all 
nations. 

By  Geo.  Spear : 

The  Union. — Justified  by  the  world,  and  so  compact  in  its  making  up, 
that  no  new  imposition  should  change  it  to  a  smaller  space. 

By  D.  H.  Reins  : 

Benjamin  Franklin. — 

"  Peace  to  the  just  man's  memory:  let  it  grow 
Greener  with  years,  and  blossom  through  the  flight 
Of  ages  ;  and  in  the  book  of  fame, 
The  glorious  record  of  his  virtues  write." 


rx3=  In  reply  to  invitations,  letters  were  received,  expressing  regret  for  their  inability  to 
attend,  from  Hon.  Henry  Clay,  Hon.  George  Bancroft,  Hon.  Washington  Irving,  J.  Fenimore 
Cooper,  Esq.,  ('has.  Kinir,  Esq.,  Hon.  J.  K.  Paulding,  Prof.  Morse,  Win.  ES.  Burton,  Esq.,  Jos.  T. 
Buckingham,  Esq.,  Hun.  .las.  T.  Armstrong,  Hon.  Jaa.  Harper,  Hon.  Jas.  Brooks,  Hon.  J.  Philips 
Phoenix,  Hon.  Geo.  Briggs,  Hon.  Walter  Dnderhill,  Mayor  Woodhull,  Freeman  Hunt,  Esq.,  .John 
L.  Boswell,  Esq.,  Col.  Babcock,  S.  W.  Andrews,  Esq.,  Edwin  Croswell,  Esq.,  John  Turner,  Esq., 
John  S.  Sleeper,  Esq.,Wm.  li.  Kinney,  Esq.,  Col.  Isaac  Munroe,  John  Neal,  Esq.,  Jud  i 
Lewis,  Chas.  A.  Davie,  Esq.,  John  A.  Appleton,  Esq.,  M.  W.  Dodd,  Esq.,  ('has.  s.  Francis,  Esq., 
Win.  S.  Falls,  Esq.,  Gideon  Nye,  Jr.,  Esq.,  C.  F.  Lowry,  Esq.,  John  W.  Peregoy,  Esq.,  and  Adam 
.  Esq. 

By  the  kindness  of  Nhjam  Fullbr,  Esq.,  of  the  Evening  Mirror,  and  Francis  Hall,  Esq., 
of  the  Commercial  Advertiser,  all  the  Letters  were  published  in  full  in  their  papers,  and  there- 
fore it  is  deemed  unnecessary  to  repeat  them  here. 


#& 


CL 


7 


NOTE. 

[The  following  Communication,  written  at  the  request  of  Gen.  Adoniram  Chandler,  for  the 
Printers'  Festival,  and  intended  to  be  read  by  him  at  the  Supper,  had  time  permitted,  is  from  the 
pen  of  CHARLES  TURELL,  an  old  member  of  the  profession.  From  a  list  of  near  two  hundred 
of  our  brethren,  whom  he  knew  personally,  or  had  held  correspondence  with,  he  has  furnished  a 
notice  of  those  who  have  been  conspicuous  during  the  present  and  preceding  age.  His  attention 
was  drawn  to  the  subject  from  the  fact,  that  some  time  since  it  was  stated  in  the  papers  that 
printers  were  necessarily,  from  their  avocation,  short  lived,  their  average  age  being  confined  to 
thirty-one  years.     In  order  to  refute  the  assumption.  Mr.  Tvrell  says] : — 

Benjamin  Franklin,  whose  birth  we  have  met  to  celebrate,  was  born  in  1706.  and  died  in 
1790.  at  the  age  of  84.  Isaiah  Thomas,  whose  history  is  before  the  world,  died  at  about  the 
same  aire.  But  it  is  of  others,  less  known,  whom  I  am  about  to  speak.  I  hardly  know  where  to 
■nit  perhaps  I  shall  be  pardoned  for  mentioning  my  old  BtjSs,  as  the  New  Yorkers  have  it. 
to  commence  with.  This  gentleman  was  Thomas  C.  Ci-shing.  who  established  the  Salem 
Gazette,  in  1789,  and  with  whom  I  lived  in  uninterrupted  friendship  more  than  fourteen  years, 
from  17'.''.)  to  1813.  He  was  anions  the  xn/t  of  lln-  earth,  without  losing  its  savor.  He  died  at  the 
aire  of  Oh.  honored  and  esteemed  by  all  men.  Mr.  Cushing  was  pupil  to  Samtel  Hall,  the  cele- 
brated Bookseller,  of  73  Cornhill.  Boston,  who  died  over  7U.  Mr.  Hall  learned  the  art  of  Edes  A: 
Gill,  who  died  in  Boston  in  the  early  part  of  the  last  century,  both  veterans  of  the  craft.  Mr. 
Cushing  left  his  brother  Henry,  likewise  a  printer.  He  is  at  this  time  residing  at  Providence,  at 
the  age  of  about  75.  I  recently  received  a  letter  from  one  of  my  chums,  who  said  it  was  pro- 
verbial among  the  people  there,  that  "if  there  was  a  perfectly  honest  man  in  that  town,  it  must 
be  Henry  Cushing." 

rt  on  my  list  is  no  other  than  Benjamin  Rissell.  Editor  of  the  Columbian  Sentinel, 

ion— a  paper  more  sought  after  than  any  other  on  the  Continent, during  the  wars  ol  Europe. 

I'.i  a.  as  he  was  familiarly  called,  had  t"he  map  of  all  tin.  seats  of  conflict  m  his  head,  and 

could  trace  and  define  to  the  reader  of  the  Sentinel  every  league  of  ground  traversed  by  Bona- 

.  from  the  battle  of  Marengo  to  his  defeat  at  Waterloo."    lie  was  in  the  Legislative  and 

'    tuncils  of  Massachusetts  tor  man]  years,  and  died  recently  at  the  age  of  85.     He  was 

an  apprentice  to  Isaiah  Thomas.     His  brother,  John  Ri\ssell.  of  the"  Boston  Gazette,  died  at  the 

age  of  60. 

Samuel  T.  Armstrong,  late  Lieut   Gov.  of  M  .  i-  living  at  Boston,  at  the  age  of 

nearly  7ti  :   he  is  a  graduate  from  the  office  of  Manning  A:  LOSING,  who  died  each  at  an  advanced 

THOMAS  B.   Wait,  of  the  firm  of  Lilly.  Wait.  A;  <  •>!  the  Power  Press,  died 

&    Khoades,  of  the  Boston  Chronicle,  died   a:  -<\i>  advanced  aire.     Their  paper 

was  famous  from  the  untiring  effusions  of  the  celebrated  Benjamin  Austin,  written  under  the 

signature  of  •■  Honestus." 

it  Minns,  of  the  New  England  Palladium,  were  celebrated  in  their  day.  Mr.  Minns 
was  many  years  in  the  Legislature,  and  was  bo  assiduous  in  his  duties,  that  he  would  not  leave  his 
business  a  sintrle  day  for  recreation  during  his  whole  administration  of  that  paper;  and  i:  was  not 
till  he  relinquished  the  editorial  chair,  that  he  could  be  induced  to  pay  a  visit  to  New- York,  where 
he  was  often  invited  On  retiring  from  business,  both  Major  Russell,  and  Young  &  Mums,  were 
promptly  and  properly  complimented  by  banquets  given  by  members  of  the  craft.' 

Bhould  never  lose  siuht  of  "the  dignity  of  their  profession,  for  the  most  eminent  men 
have  embraced  it.  To  say  nothing  of  those  whose  uames  are  as  familiar  as  household  words, 
there  are  amateurs  of  high  standing,  who  have  adopted  it  as  a  pastime  and  pleasure.  Some  of  the 
noblemen  in  England— to  their  honor  be  it  mentioned— have  printing-offices  attached  to  their 
country-seats,  and  superintend  their  conduct.  And  this  is  effected  without  stint  of  means.  They 
employ  the  best  workmen  in  the  realm.  Their  type,  paper,  ink,  and  binding,  are  all  of  unsur- 
d  beauty,  and  they  throw  out  the  rarest  specimens  of  the  art  to  be  found  in  the  libraries  of 
Europe.  They  are  generally  confined  to  small  editions,  books  printed,  not  published—  designed 
chiefly  for  local  or  family  distribution.  A  quarto  copy  of  one  of  these  works  has  recently  fallen 
under  the  eye  of  the  writer,  and  he  has  no  hesitation  m  saying  it  is  one  of  the  most  eleganl  that 
ever  fell  from  any  j  I  Napoleon,  in  the  plenitude'  ol  Ins  imperial  dignity,  was  a  super- 

Emperor  of  the  French,  he  caused  an  edition  of  120  copies  ol   Lebrun's 
I  Odes  ol  Horace  to  be  printed  in  gold,  on  vellum,  bv  Didot,  the  court  publisher, 

and  presented  a  copy  to  Mr.  Madison,  then  President  of  the  United  States.    The  value  of  each  book 
ed  to  be  fourteen  hundred  dollars. 
Lucien,  his  brother,  whom  the,  Emperor  proscribed  and  banished,  had  a  great  fondness  for 
the  art.     He  who  had  refused  a  crown  from  the  hand  of  Napoleon,  when  he  embarked  from  Italy 
in  the  American  ship  Hercules,  with  his  valuable  effects  for  Philadelphia,  in  1809.  with  a  retinue  of 
.  had  a  printing  establishment  on  board,  with  operatives  to  execute  his  great  work,  the 
epic  poem  Charlemagne.     The  Hercules,  from  Stress  ol  weather  and  sickness  in  Lucien's  family, 
ibliged  to  [nit  into  Malta,  where  they  became  prisoners  of  war  to  the  British.     It  is  an  honor- 
able irait  in  the  officers  ol  the  frigate  which  captured  them,  that  they  relinquished  all  claims  te 
roperty  of  the  eminent  man.  who  had  been  in  previous  years  President  of  the  Council  of 
I         Hundred.     Lucien  retired  to  England,  unmolested  by  the  government,  and  there  completed 


64 


NOTE. 


his  book.  I  am  indebted  for  these  facts  to  my  brother,  who  was  an  officer  of  the  Hercules,  which 
vessel  had  been  previously  confiscated  at  Naples  by  Murat,  under  the  infamous  Rambouillet 
decree. 

It  would  be  matter  of  supererogation  to  state  that  some  of  the  craft  have  been  honored  with 
the  highest  gifts  of  their  countrymen.  Franklin,  who  was  a  member  of  the  Congress  of  1776,  and 
one  of  the  committee  to  draft  t lie  Declaration  of  Independence,  was  subsequently  chairman  of  a 
commission  of  five  sent  to  France,  who  formed  the  treaty  of  alliance  between  that"  country  and  the 
United  States.  He  also  negotiated  in  1782  the  treat;  of  peace  with  Great  Britain.  On  his  return 
he  was  appointed  President  of  the  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  Pennsylvania.  He  early 
adopted  as  a  maxim  the  Scriptural  text—'-  He  that  is  diligent  in  his  business  shall  stand  before 
Princes;  he  shall  not  stand  before  mean  men;*-'  and  in  his  latter  days  boasted  of  its  truth,  for 
he  stood  before  the  Imperial  Parliament,  and  taught  its  members  lessons  in  political  economy,  of 
which  the  wisest  of  them  were  ignorant ;  and  he  stood  before  the  King  and  his  assembled  court 
the  acknowledged  head  of  the  whole  diplomatic  corps  in  England. 

Many  of  our  brethren  have  been  Governors  of  States.  Members  of  Congress,  Senators  and  Repre- 
sentatives of  their  respective  legislatures,  and  diplomatic  agents  abroad.  One  of  the  apprentices 
of  the  writer  of  this  article  has  been  thrice  elected  to  Congress  from  New  Hampshire;  and 
another  has  held  the  office  of  postmaster  in  Boston  lor  twenty  years,  having  resigned  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  present  administration.  It  is,  moreover,  a  fact  worthy  of  record,  that  in  the 
year  1845  the  mayors  of  the  cities  of  London,  Edinburgh,  Glasgow,  Perth,  Washington,  and  New- 
York,  were  all  printers  I 

Among  those  who  flourished  at  the  commencement  of  the  present  century,  but  have  now 
descended  to  the  tomb,  may  be  mentioned  Thomas  Bradford,  at  the  age  of  ninety-six.  in  Phi- 
ladelphia. In  the  same  city  Francis  Bailey.  Hall  &  Sellers,  David  and  Septimus  Clay- 
poole,  Benjamin  Towne,  John  Dunlap,  Charles  Cist.  Andrew  Brown,  Henry  Kammerer, 
and  Robert  Aitxin.  The  latter  gentleman  printed  the  first  New  Testament  m  the  United  States, 
and  received  the  thanks  of  the  Old  Congress,  who  recommended  the  same.  Colonel  Eleazer 
Oswald  published  the  Independent  Gazette.  He  went  to  France,  ami  served  the  French  Republic 
under  Dumourier;  previous  to  which,  he  fought  a  duel  with  .Matthew  Carey,  and  shot  him  in  the 
ankle,  at  Camden,  N.  J.,  in  1788.  Andrew  Brown  established  the  Philadelphia  Gazette,  in  1792. 
He,  and  his  wife  and  two  children,  with  a  female  servant,  were  burnt  to  death  in  their  house,  U 
1798.  To  these  maybe  added  Shepard  Kollock  of  the.  New  .Jersey  Journal,  an  officer  of  the 
Revolution,  and  a  Judsze  of  the  county  court,  at  the  age  of  ninety.  John  Dabnev.oi  Salem,  Mass.; 
James  Oram,  New- York  ;  John  Crookes,  New- York;  Hugh  Gaine,  Isaac  Collins,  do.: 
Samuel  Green,  of  New  London ;  John  and  Elisha  Babcock.  of  Hartford;  Anthony  Has- 
well,  of  Vermont ;  William  Wands,  of  Lansingburg;  Abr.  Lyons,  of  Troy  ;  John  H.  Bar- 
ber, of  Newport ;  and  others  of  high  reputation  in  their  day. 

Of  those  more  recently  deceased,  and  who  lived  to  an  advanced  period,  are  John  Lang,  of  the 
New-Vork  Gazette  ;  Michael  Burnham,  of  the  Evening  Post ;  Colonel  Stone,  of  the  Commer- 
cial Advertiser;  the  venerable  George  F.  Hopkins,  once  editor  of  the  same  paper;  Alexander 
Ming:  Samuel  Wood;  Colonel  Alden  Spooner,  of  the  Long  Island  Star;  Messrs.  T.  and  J. 
Swords  ;  Matthew  Carey,  of  Philadelphia,  who  died  in  consequence  of  a  fall  from  an  omnibus 
in  Broadway;  John  Neilson,  of  the  Quebec  Gazette;  Zachariah  Poulson,  of  Philadelphia  ; 
Jes.se  Buel,  of  Albany;  Warwick  Palfrey,  of  Salem,  Senator  of  Massachusetts;  Joseph 
Gales,  senior,  of  the  Raleigh  (N.  C.)  Gazette,  father  of  Mr.  Gales  of  Washington  City  ;  Solomon 
Southwick,  of  Albany  ;  anil  the  venerable  poet,  and  immortal  author  of  the  Old  Oaken  Bucket, 
Samuel  Woodworth. 

Many  of  the  worthy  members  of  the  profession,  who  are  now  living,  and  retired  from  active 
life,  arc  daily  seen  among  us;  and  may  they  long  survive  to  receive  their  reward  in  the  thankful- 
ness of  the  nation.  The  most  ancient  of  them,  is  the  venerable  Charles  Holt,  once  publisher  of 
the  Hudson  Bee,  and  of  one  or  more  papers  in  this  city.  He  incurred  a  fine  of  &HHHI  under  the 
Sedition  Law  of  lbUO,  which  Congress,  a  short  tune  since,  repaid  him.  principal  and  interest 
acceptable  present  to  comfort  him  in  his  old  age.  Edmund  M.  Blunt,  formerly  of  Newlnuyport, 
first  publisher  of  Bowditch's  Navigator,  resides  at  Sing  Sing;  Matthew  L.  Davis,  enjoys  a 
small  post  under  government  John  TURNER,  for  thirty  years  joint-proprietor  with  the  late 
Mr.  Lang,  is  in  the  enjoyment  of  good  health.  Naphtali  Phillips.  George  Bruce,  and  Amos 
Butler,  late  of  the  Mercantile  Advertiser.  Dr.  John  W.  FRANCIS,  is  at  the  head  of  the  medical 
profession  in  the  city,  and  in  full  practice.  Of  those  living  abroad,  tire  CHARLES  PtEROE,  who 
established  the  Portsmouth  Oracle  in  1793.  He  resides  in  Germantown,  Perm.  He  was  appren- 
tice to  Major  Russell,  of  Boston.  Nathaniel  Knight,  of  Baltimore,  from  the  Salem  Gazette 
office  ni  1800.  Colonel  Harry  Hunt,  of  the  Sag-Harbor  Corrector,  pays  us  an  annual  visit. 
The  Rev.  Harry  Crosweli,,  of  Connecticut,  is  seen  here  trieiinially.  at  the  General  Convention 
of  the  Episcopal  Church.  In  addition  to  these,  I  would  add  the  name  of  the  Treasurer  of  the 
N.  Y.  Typographical  Society,  the  venerable  George  M  \  im;i\  whom  may  God  long  preserve  to 
puisne  that  course  of  charitable  but  unobtrusive  usefulness  which  has  ever  characterized  his  life. 

To  conclude  this  long  list,  I  must  not  omil  my  antediluvian  friend  John  Melohbr,  of  Ports- 
mouth—what  his  age  is,  no  man  knoweth.  He  is,  without  contradiction,  the  veritable  '-oldest  ir* 
habitant"  of  Printerdoml  He  disdains  to  talk  of  such  recent  events  in  history  as  the  battles  of 
Lexington  and  Bunker-Hill,  or  the  capture  of  Burgoyne  and  surrender  of  Cornwallis,  or  thecon- 
licts  ol  the  Nile  and  Trafalgar.    Nothing  delights  him  better  than  to  converse  about  hisfri 

Queen  Anne,  the   Duke   of  Marlborough,  and    the    battle   of  Blenheim.      He  does  sometimes   talk 

iboul  Ins  young  friend  Sir  William  Pepperrell,  the  reduction  ol  Louiubourg,  and  the  Plains  of 
nil— Miy  he  live  a  thousand  years,  and  may  his  shadow  never  be  less  ' 


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